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Solem, Odell 1924 - 1998

SOLEM, NELSON, BJERKE, JACKSON, SICKELS, KETCHUM, MEYER, LANG, MEYERS, SMITH

Posted By: Norman Hjelmeland (email)
Date: 7/19/2021 at 11:31:47

Odell "Ossie" Solem, 73, of Mason City, died at his home Sunday, June 14, 1998
Funeral services were held Wednesday, June 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Nils "Chris" Hellevik officiating.
Burial was at 3 p.m. at Iowa River Cemetery in Allamakee County. The Major-Erickson Funeral Home of Mason City handled arrangements.
Odell was born Aug. 18, 1924, at Highlandville, the son of Ole and Ida (Nelson) Solem. He graduated from Decorah High School, then attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., from 1942-43.
Odell then attended the University of North Carolina and in 1944 served in the United States Navy Air Corps during World War II. He was discharged in 1946 and competed his education graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in civil engineering in 1949.
Odell was united in marriage with Mavis B. Bjerke May 3, 1953 at Highlandville.
He worked briefly in Britt and New Hampton before moving to Mason City in 1964. He was an engineer with the Iowa Department of Transportation for 40 years before retiring in 1991.
Odell also served as district planning engineer for the Avenue of the Saints project out of Waterloo.
He was involved in community development projects throughout his life. Odell was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Toastmasters and was a delegate at the Republican state convention.
Survivors include his six children, Rhonda and Jeff Jackson of Westport, Conn., Kristie and Virgil Sickels of Mason City, Karen and Art Ketchum of Mason City, Lynne and Dan Meyer of Mason City, Mark Solem of Chicago, and Julie Solem of MasonCity; six grand-grandchildren, Alicia Lang, Melissa and Betsy Ketchum and Ashley, Andrew and Alex Meyers; one sister, Ileen and Bill Smith of Greensburg, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.
Odell Solem was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; one sister; and one son-in-law.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Northern Iowa.

Decorah Journal, June 18, 1998


 

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