Odessie Vraa, 89, died on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be held 1:00, PM, Sunday, August 19, 2007 at the Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Pastor Leroy Flickinger officiating. Burial will at the Rosendahl Cemetery, Reiner Township, Pennington County, MN.

Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Sunday at the funeral home.

Odessie Vraa was born on March 19, 1918 to Gilbert and Helen (Dale) Vraa in Climax, MN. She grew up at Goodridge on the farm. Odessie lost her sight at an early age and lived with her parents for many years. They moved into Goodridge until her fathers death, and then Odessie and her mother moved into Valley Home in Thief River Falls, MN. She also has lived the past few years of her life at Oakland Park Nursing Home.

Odessie was an inspiration to all who knew her. Even though she was not sighted, she helped to raise her nieces and nephews. She enjoyed cooking and baking with the recipes that she had memorized. Her example taught many how to enjoy the gifts that they were given.

She is survived by one sister Gertrude Buentemeier, Northhome, MN; 1 sister in law, Marion Vraa, Goodridge, MN; and 16 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 sisters Henrietta Erlandson, Clara Miller, Marion Dolly Hollenbeck, 1 brother Herbert Vraa, and 2 nephews Edward Hollenbeck and Donald Buentemeier.