1928
Laura
2016
Rev. Laura Odegard
April 11, 1928 — September 22, 2016
With her children by her side, Reverend Laura Odegard, of Waukon, IA, went to her eternal rest on Thursday, September 22, 2016. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 26th, at 11:00 AM at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Waukon with Pastor Kim Gates officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.
Reverend Laura Lee (Whittenberg) Odegard was born April 11, 1928. Laura was a proud third generation California native raised in Oakland by her grandparents. Laura was independent of thought and deed and a gifted writer. She graduated from Castlemont High School in Oakland, California with the dream of pursuing a career in journalism.
As a faithful Christian, she attended Trinity Baptist Church in Oakland. There she met Lawrence Raymond Odegard, her future husband. They were united in marriage on April 25, 1947, in that very same church where Larry later accepted the position of pastor. The couple would go on to raise six children.
Years later, Laura decided to return to college earning a BA from the University of Dubuque and a Master of Divinity from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. She was ordained in 1977, and began her career at Buck Creek United Methodist Church near Hopkinton, Iowa. Laura went on to serve many churches in Iowa and Illinois, retiring from the Illinois Conference. Following her brief retirement she and Larry co-pastored the Mt. Hope and St. John's UCC Churches near New Albin, Iowa.
Throughout the years Laura continued honing her literary craft publishing a number of articles and poems in various magazines and newspapers. To mark special occasions she also wrote poems and short stories for her children and grandchildren. Getting a "card" from Grandma Laura was a special treat for her 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Larry and Laura later fully retired in Waukon, Iowa. Laura spent her free time with her grandchildren providing them with every Disney movie ever made, enough toys to fill a church, and special treats. She actively participated in the Allamakee County Democrats and the District Ministerial Association.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence, and oldest son Mark Odegard. She is survived by her children: Kristina (Mark) Walleser of Lansing, Iowa and their children Matthew and Joseph; Rebecca (Douglas) Odegard-Siegele of Colorado and their children Hannah, Adam (Genna), Wyatt, and CJ; Peter (Michelle) Odegard of Dubuque, Iowa and their children Jocelyn, Robyn (Curt), and Martin; Andrew (Catherine) Odegard of Dubuque, Iowa and their children Jacob and Erik; and Naomi (Gary)Yaddof of Charles City, Iowa and their children Emily, Michael, Isaac, and Elizabeth; and two great-grandchildren Zander and Aspyn Siegele.
Casketbearers are Laura's grandsons.
Reverend Laura Lee (Whittenberg) Odegard was born April 11, 1928. Laura was a proud third generation California native raised in Oakland by her grandparents. Laura was independent of thought and deed and a gifted writer. She graduated from Castlemont High School in Oakland, California with the dream of pursuing a career in journalism.
As a faithful Christian, she attended Trinity Baptist Church in Oakland. There she met Lawrence Raymond Odegard, her future husband. They were united in marriage on April 25, 1947, in that very same church where Larry later accepted the position of pastor. The couple would go on to raise six children.
Years later, Laura decided to return to college earning a BA from the University of Dubuque and a Master of Divinity from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. She was ordained in 1977, and began her career at Buck Creek United Methodist Church near Hopkinton, Iowa. Laura went on to serve many churches in Iowa and Illinois, retiring from the Illinois Conference. Following her brief retirement she and Larry co-pastored the Mt. Hope and St. John's UCC Churches near New Albin, Iowa.
Throughout the years Laura continued honing her literary craft publishing a number of articles and poems in various magazines and newspapers. To mark special occasions she also wrote poems and short stories for her children and grandchildren. Getting a "card" from Grandma Laura was a special treat for her 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Larry and Laura later fully retired in Waukon, Iowa. Laura spent her free time with her grandchildren providing them with every Disney movie ever made, enough toys to fill a church, and special treats. She actively participated in the Allamakee County Democrats and the District Ministerial Association.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence, and oldest son Mark Odegard. She is survived by her children: Kristina (Mark) Walleser of Lansing, Iowa and their children Matthew and Joseph; Rebecca (Douglas) Odegard-Siegele of Colorado and their children Hannah, Adam (Genna), Wyatt, and CJ; Peter (Michelle) Odegard of Dubuque, Iowa and their children Jocelyn, Robyn (Curt), and Martin; Andrew (Catherine) Odegard of Dubuque, Iowa and their children Jacob and Erik; and Naomi (Gary)Yaddof of Charles City, Iowa and their children Emily, Michael, Isaac, and Elizabeth; and two great-grandchildren Zander and Aspyn Siegele.
Casketbearers are Laura's grandsons.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rev. Laura Odegard, please visit our flower store.
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