Mary M. Odland

MARY MARGARET (HERMANSON) ODLAND was born on April 13, 1926 to John and Alice (Paulson) Hermanson in Dell Rapids, South Dakota. She was baptized on June 27, 1926 and confirmed her faith on June 18, 1939 at the Dell Rapids Lutheran Church. She spent her childhood years in Dell Rapids and graduated from Dell Rapids High School with the class of 1943. She then attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion where she graduated in May of 1947 with a B.A. Degree in Sociology. On August 1, 1948, Mary was united in marriage with her childhood sweetheart, Donald Mark Odland, at the Dell Rapids Lutheran Church, with Don’s father officiating at the ceremony. The couple then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Don attended medical school for four years at Marquette University. They then moved to Minneapolis for Don to complete a two year residency. In 1954, the couple moved to Luverne, Minnesota, where they settled into small town life. Don worked hard building his medical practice and Mary worked hard caring for the needs of their family. She was a stay-at-home mother for their five children and loved it!

Mary was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne where she was active in circle, GLCW, and sang in the choir. She was a founding member of the Luverne chapter of the PEO sisterhood, which she belonged to for over 70 years. She was also a member of the Luverne Pink Ladies and volunteered weekly at the Luverne Hospital for 25 years. She was a 50 year member of the Luverne American Legion Auxiliary.

The family enjoyed 50 years of vacationing at their lake home in Alexandria, Minnesota, many trips to Mexico, a trip to Hawaii with the Estensons, many trips with the Olsons, and a trip to the ancestral home of Norway with a group from Augustana College.

On Thursday, September 14, 2017 while surrounded by her family at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, Mary went to be with her Lord at the age of 91 years, five months and one day.

Mary is lovingly remembered by her children, Mark (Pat) Odland of Alexandria, MN, David (Sharon) Odland of Alexandria, MN, Debra Odland of Woodbury, MN, Paul Odland of Alexandria, MN, and Steve Odland of Luverne; 10 grandchildren, Mark, Matthew, Tony, Kristoffer, Laura, Eric, Ryan, Will, Wade and Wyatt; 13 great-grandchildren (with a 14th and 15th expected), Brooke, Oliver, Charlotte, Maggie, Belle, Evie, Henry, Barron, Mason, Ella, Blake, Alba Joy, Alexis, and other family members. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her parents; and her brother, Dr. John Hermanson.

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