Mary Dodds

Dates

Obituary

Mary Anna (Mullivan) Dodds, age 79, of Madison, SD, passed away Friday, December 29th, 2023 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Mary was born on July 26, 1944, to Floyd and Gladys Mullivan. She grew up on the family farm south of Plankinton, South Dakota, with her two brothers, Don and Ron, and two sisters, Patty and Helen. She especially enjoyed the time she spent with her grandparents, Walter and Agnes Mullivan, who had a lasting impact on her life. She attended high school in Plankinton, SD, and upon moving to Madison, SD, furthered her education at Dakota State University.

Mary was united in marriage with James Dodds on April 12th, 1961. They raised their four children, Shelley, Craig, Bradley, and Therese first in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, then moving and settling in Madison, South Dakota, in 1974.

Mary worked at Sandy’s Hallmark in Madison while raising her young children. During that time, she learned many skills, including wood refinishing, creating cane furnishings, and woodworking. She then started her own matting and framing business, working out of her home. These entrepreneurial skills would lead her to becoming a female pioneer in the male dominated world of freight brokerage when she started her own business, ADM Freight, in 2014. While she took great pride in ADM’s success, her greatest satisfaction came from her children joining the family business. Brad joined first in 2014, followed by Shelley in 2023, and they continue what has become a generational legacy.

Mary put her faith in the good Lord and valued family and friendships. She enjoyed spending free time at Lake Hendricks, and especially enjoyed time spent on the lake on her pontoon. She was an avid reader and gardener, surrounding her home and her children’s homes in beautiful flowers every summer. She was a devoted fan and supporter of her grandson Noah’s activities, both academically and athletically.

Beyond grateful for having Mary as their mom are her children, Shelley Ellingson, Dell Rapids, SD, Craig Dodds, White Lake, SD, Bradley Dodds, Lake Hendricks, SD, and Therese (Mike) Olund along with their son, Noah, Dell Rapids, SD. She is also survived by her brothers, Ron (Marlys) Mullivan, Pierre, SD and Don (Maxine) Mullivan of Rapid City, along with many nephews and nieces.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Don Boyd; two sisters, Helen Boyd and Patty Overweg; brother-in-law, Ivan Overweg; and son-in-law, Daniel Ellingson.