O'Dell, Otto JR 'Sam' 1939-2020

O’DELL, SHAW

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:24

Otto “Sam” O’Dell Jr., 81, of Dubuque, IA, formerly of Epworth, IA, and Graf, IA passed away on Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Unity Point Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa.

A private family visitation for Sam will be held from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, IA Private services will be held at 1:30 with Pastor Mike Jones presiding. Burial will be held in Highview Cemetery in Epworth, Iowa. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance at the visitation is limited to the immediate family and masks must be worn.

He was born July 13, 1939 in Strawberry Point Iowa, son of Otto C. and Mary M. (Shaw) O’Dell. He received his education in the Bankston Country schools. He was employed as a logger for the Phillip Ball’s sawmill in Graf, until his retirement at which time he moved to Dubuque with his sister, Elaine.

Otto “Sam” had a passion for long walks, gardening, watching his soaps, western shows and WWE. Otto was a people person and would talk to everyone and anyone walking by. He loved his cat, Star and his two dogs, Buddy and Dusty. Otto would ask his niece, Lisa every Monday how his great nephew, Tyler had done racing over the weekend. They would talk for hours. Otto loved to tell stories about his brothers and sisters when they were younger.

He is survived by his ten siblings, Joan (James) Walters of Guttenberg, Kay Kamp and Barbara (Eldon) Jaeger both of Worthington, Dave (Judy) O’Dell of Bernard, Norene Dole and Elaine O’Dell both of Dubuque, Robert (Shirley) O’Dell and Brian (Dee) O’Dell, Cheryl (Tom) Trenkamp-Rauch of Monticello; a brother-in-law, James Beau of Dubuque; 33 nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

He is also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Allen and Clarence “Wink” O’Dell, one sister, Karen Beau; and brother-in-law, Frank Kamp.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to Norene Dole, Jodi Kamm and Lisa Soppe for taking care of him over the years. They would also like to thank you to the Doctors, nurses, and Finley Hospital for their support and care they gave to Sam.