Mrs. LAWRENCE (Ethel Sabina Cowell) ODEGARD 1928-2005

POWELL, COWELL, KLIEN, SHAFER, MANKEE, HANSON

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 8/16/2005 at 18:33:32

Ethel Odegard

Ethel S. Odegard, age 76, of Cashton, Wis., died early Friday morning, July 29, 2005, at the Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua, Wis.

Ethel Sabina was born December 28, 1928, in Volney, Allamakee County, Iowa, to Harley and Thelma (Powell) Cowell. She attended several country schools in rural Iowa and graduated from Luana High School. She graduated from cosmetology school in Des Moines, Iowa, and worked in Waukon where she met and married Lawrence Odegard.

Ethel and Lawrence farmed in rural Iowa until they moved to Hillsboro, Wis., in 1966, then to the rural Cashton/Westby area in 1970. Ethel lived there until her death.

She loved to knit and sew and worked with dolls. She made many gloves, mittens, sweaters, stocking caps, quilts, stuffed animals, and doll clothes. She made these things for her family and as special gifts for many people. Especially appreciated were the quilts made for children, grandchildren, and as graduation and wedding gifts. As much as Ethel loved doing these things, she loved her Lord Jesus even more and at an early age had put her faith and trust in the Lord Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior and tried to show His love for others through her handmade gifts that she made with love. Her prayer was that all of her family and friends would also come to know the Lord as their Savior.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence December 10, 1999; her parents; one brother, Dewey Cowell; and a brother-in-law, Arlo Klien.

Survivors include seven children, Jim Odegard of Wilton, Wis., Kathy (Gary) Shafer of Spring Valley, Wis., Al (Doris) Odegard of LaFarge, Wis., Myron (Karen) Odegard of Viroqua, Carl (Jeannie) Odegard of Cashton, Janice Odegard of Viroqua, Wis., and Bob (Bard) Odegard of Eagan, Minn.; 12 grandchildren, Matte (Jessie) Shafer, John Shafer, Angie (Dan) Mankee, Dan, Jamie, Neil, Luke, Elyse, Alex, Ashley, Tyler, and Tim Odegard; one step-grandson, Nathan Hanson; one great-grandchild, Elizabeth Shafer; two brothers, Jim Cowell and friend Joy of McGregor and Donald (Pat) Cowell of Spencer, Iowa; and a sister, Ruby Klien of Cedar Rapids, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services were held Monday, August 1, 2005, at Living Faith Church in Viroqua. Pastor Fred Sindorf officiated with burial in Our Savior’s Cemetery in Westby. Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby was in charge of arrangements.

Waukon Standard, August 3, 2005