RAYMOND ALTON ODEGARD 1911-2005

THORSEN, ODEGARD, SMEDSRUD, LARSON, BLOXHAM, STEMARIE, GABRIELSON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 12/18/2005 at 20:16:33

Raymond Odegard

Raymond A. Odegard, 94, of Waukon, died Wednesday, October 19, 2005, at Hill View Health Care Center in La Crosse, Wis. Funeral services were held Saturday, October 22 at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church rural Waterville, Iowa, with Pastor Ken Kimball officiating. Burial was in the Church Cemetery. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon was in charge of arrangements.

Raymond Alton Odegard was born July 5, 1911, in Center Township, rural Waterville, Iowa, the son of Otto and Barbara (Thorsen) Odegard. He was baptized and confirmed at Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church and attended schools in the Waterville and Waukon area.

September 27, 1934, he married Beulah Elvina Smedsrud at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. They farmed in Center Township until 1961, moved to Arizona for two years, and then returned to Waukon. After moving to Waukon Ray worked in sales for several local businesses. When Ray retired he did some carpentry work.

He was a life-time member of Old East Paint Creek Lutheran Church. He was also a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he served as a trustee, and a member of Farm Service Board, where he served as the secretary.

Ray enjoyed music, dancing, politics, and following baseball, especially the Chicago Cubs. His first priority was always his family and he showed great devotion in the care that he gave to his wife Beulah.

Survivors include a son, Gene (Connie) Odegard of Holmen, Wis.; three daughters, Elaine (Kent) Larson of Ackley, Iowa, Evonne (Rodney) Bloxham of Lansing, Iowa, and Lynn (Mark) Ste. Marie of West Salem, Wis.; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Alf (Barbara) Odegard of St. Cloud, Minn.; and a sister, Marion Gabrielson of Belmond, Iowa.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Beulah, who died July 1, 2000; and two sons, Richard Norman and Allan Raymond.

Honorary casketbearers were Todd Larson, Kirstie Poppe, Abram, Isaiah, and Adam Odegard, Julie Burington, Sheri Jackson, and Jodi Manson. Casketbearers were Thor Larson, Terry Petton, Jake and Mike Burington, Mark Poppe, and Scott Anderson.

Waukon Standard, October 27, 2005