John Odegard, of Montevideo, died at the Chippewa County - Montevideo Hospital on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at the age of 83.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo with Rev. Gwen Bohlke officiating.
Visitation will be held for one hour before the services at the funeral home.
John Richard Odegard was born on August 13, 1932 to Richard and Annie (Canton ) Odegard. He attended school in Watson and then later Montevideo, graduating in 1950. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and served from 1951 to 1954. He served in Okinawa, Korea and Wadena, Minnesota where he met and married Mavis Rentz. They had two children together; James and Karen. John attended Moorhead State University and majored in Industrial Arts Education. He taught one year in Danube, Minnesota before he began his teaching and coaching career for the Montevideo School district. Later, John continued his education at the Minneapolis School for Art and Design. He taught in the Montevideo school district until his retirement in 1988. He continued to work for ECSU (Educational Cooperative Services Unit) out of Marshall, Minnesota after his retirement.
John will be remembered by family and friends as a passionate coach, caring teacher, gifted artist, supportive parent and loving grandfather. While a coach for track and other sports in Montevideo, he helped start the high school cross country and girls fastpitch softball programs. He was especially proud of the 1972 track team he coached and didn’t miss an opportunity to tell people about this team. He was inducted into the Montevideo Athletic Hall of Fame in June of 2009. As a teacher, John was recognized by Governor Al Quie in January of 1982 for excellence in education. As an artist, John had a hand in many signs and murals painted around Montevideo, Watson, Redwood Falls and the Granite Falls area. He painted signs for local business as well as murals at the American Legion and the Lower Sioux Agency. One of his last works of art were two commissioned paintings for the local film production of “Sweet Land”.
Family will remember him for the support he gave his children in their choices, no matter what they were. He loved sports and enjoyed watching the Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Minnesota Wild and the Golden Gophers play and would often coach them from his recliner. He loved the Oregon Ducks football team as he thought they were a track team with football helmets. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, playing cards and cribbage. He was a member of the VFW and during the 1970's served as Commander of the American Legion. John also enjoyed traveling and took trips with his sister and brother in law to Costa Rica, Norway, Arizona and Mexico. To celebrate his 80th birthday, he traveled with his family to the Black Hills of South Dakota. John was a cat lover and had a cat named Mike who was a treasured member of the family. John was also a well informed and passionate Democrat and spent time reading and listening to politics. He was a true Norwegian and loved his cups of coffee.
John is survived by his children: Karen (Joe) Dulak of Winona and James of Montevideo; two grandchildren: Joshua and Kate Dulak; the mother of his children, Mavis Odegard; sisters: Bonnie (John) Chase of Bloomington, MN and Djuna Odegard Fraser (Robert Fraser) of Berkeley, CA; his cat, Mike; and cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Richard and Annie Odegard.