Gladys Odegaard, 98, lifetime resident of Thief River Falls, MN died on Monday, August 22, 2006 at the CNC Unit of the Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, August 25, 2006 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 24, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer Service on Thursday evening and at the church for one hour prior to service on Friday.

Gladys Vigness was born on June 19, 1908 in Nielsville, MN, the daughter of Gabriel and Tina (Efteland) Vigness. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended Washington Elementary School and graduated in 1927 from Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, MN. She was united in marriage to Morris Odegaard at Hazel, MN and the couple lived in McIntosh, MN for a few years and also Hazel, MN, where Morris was employed in the local creameries as a butter maker. In 1934 they moved permanently to Thief River Falls, where Morris established with his father the Odegaard and Son Feed and Seed store. Later, Morris added the Thief River Hatchery. Gladys assisted in operating these businesses while raising a family of five children.

Gladys was active in many local activities. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the IOOF Rebekah Assembly of Minnesota, Lodge #60, the Sons of Norway, Shorre Lodge, the Order of the Ladies of the United Commercial Travelers (UCT) and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, aerie 2362. She also was active in organizations concerned with challenged children, becoming President of the Northwestern Minnesota Association for Retarded Children in November, 1955. In April 1956 she became a member of the National Association for Retarded Children. She was a founding member of the Falls Day Activity Center (DAC) and was its Treasurer for many years. In 1973 Gladys became a charter member of the Norwegian American 1975 Sesquicentennial Association.

Gladys joined the Thief River Falls Eagles Auxiliary as a Charter member on March 19, 1950 and took the position of Madam Secretary, an office she held for 38 years until June 1988. She served in offices of the Minnesota State Auxiliary and was elected as Madam State President in 1967 for the Year ended May 31, 1968. She served as Madam Outside Guard in the National Auxiliary in 1969-1970, and was instituting secretary for Hallock Auxiliary.

In July 1979 Gladys received a citation from the State of Minnesota Executive Department naming her Outstanding Senior Citizen of Pennington County. The citation was signed by Minnesota Governor Albert Quie.

Gladys is survived by two daughters: Marilyn Tiny G. Jorstad of Thief River Falls, MN and Gloria J. (Richard) Schlechter of Sioux Falls, SD; two sons: Richard A. (Pat) Odegaard of Fargo, ND and Gordon M. Odegaard of Washington, DC; 7 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 2 sisters: Mrs. Francis Parr of Bellington, WA and Mrs. Bernice Lasha of Thief River Falls, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris; one daughter, Mary Ann Odegaard; two sisters: Mrs. Belle Lass and Mrs. Clara Larson and one grandson, John Schlechter.


ORGANIST: Ida Nordvall
SOLOIST: Diane Johnson
SELECTIONS: "Behold A Host" "In the Garden" "Goin' Home"
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: "How Great Thou Art" #532 and "On Eagles Wings" #779