Rev. Laura Odegard
With her children by her side, Reverend Laura Odegard, age 88, of Waukon went to her eternal rest Thursday, September 22, 2016. Funeral services were held Monday, September 26 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Waukon with Pastor Kim Gates officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.
Reverend Laura Lee (Whittenberg) Odegard was born April 11, 1928. She 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, CA with the dream of pursuing a career in journalism.
As a faithful Christian, she attended Trinity Baptist Church in Oakland, CA. There she met Lawrence Raymond Odegard, her future husband. They were united in marriage 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. 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.
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. 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 her oldest son, Mark Odegard. She is survived by her children: Kristina (Mark) Walleser of Lansing 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 and their children, Jocelyn, Robyn (Curt) and Martin; Andrew (Catherine) Odegard of Dubuque and their children, Jacob and Erik; and Naomi (Gary) Yaddof of Charles City and their children, Emily, Michael, Isaac and Elizabeth; as well as two great-grandchildren, Zander and Aspyn Siegele.
Casketbearers were Laura’s grandsons. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
