Mary Beth Abraham, 96, of Valentine NE, entered into eternal rest Thursday, April 12, 2018 at South Haven Living Center in Wahoo, NE. She was born in Mallard Iowa, to Thomas and Sophia Hood, where she grew up with 7 siblings. Mary Beth attended Clarke University in Dubuque IA., where she received her teaching degree.  She worked at the Mallard Post Office during the summer where her mother Sophia was the Postmaster and taught 2 ^nd grade in Mason City, Iowa during the school year. She then moved to Omaha, Nebraska and worked at Union Pacific Railroad and took classes at Creighton University.

Mary Beth met her husband Donald Lee Abraham, on a blind date in Omaha. Less than a year later, on October 18, 1947, she married the love of her life. Mary Beth was a loving and devoted wife and mother of six children. She was very active in her children's lives as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, room mother, attending sporting events, band concerts and actively participating in her children's education.

Her personal growth was very important to Mary Beth and in her later years she took advanced college courses, in math, science, communication, and art.  She painted several pieces of art for her children and grandchildren.

As the Director of Education for Nebraska Right to Life, she wrote articles for several newspapers, as well as organized local and state activities. A lifelong Catholic, she attended St. Nicholas Catholic Church, where she taught CCD classes. Her interest in politics led her to run and be elected as a delegate representing Nebraska to the 1980 Democratic National convention in New York City.

A lifelong optimist, Mary Beth enjoyed gardening, gourmet cooking, home decorating, sewing, and participating as a member of the Sand Painters Art Guild and American Legion Auxiliary.  She was always delighted to participate in anything that had to do with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary Beth loved entertaining and traveling with friends as well as her three daughters and shopping for the latest fashions. She had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed laughing at herself.

She is survived by her sister, Alice Bonnell, Spirit Lake IA., her sister-in-law, Pearl Hood, Mallard IA. and her children: Tom (Linda) Abraham, Omaha NE; Donna (Ed) Watson, Traverse City, MI; Nancy (Bob) Olson, Omaha, NE; Colleen (Dan) Moosman Valentine NE; Jim Abraham, Sydney Australia and 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Don Abraham, an infant son Billy Abraham, her parents Thomas and Sophia, and siblings; Joseph Hood, Eileen Reed, John Hood, Thomas Hood, Eugene Hood, and Kathleen Alexander.

Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Beth Abraham age 96 of Valentine will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at 10:00 AM at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine.  Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine.  Rosary will be recited on Monday, April 16 at 7:00 PM at the church.  No visitation will be held.