Skip to main content

Mary Odland

Lead Summary

Mary Margaret Odland, 91, Luverne, died Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria.
A funeral service was Tuesday, Sept. 19, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial was at Dell Rapids Cemetery in Dell Rapids, South Dakota.
Mary Hermanson was born 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 in 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 Aug. 1, 1948, Mary married Donald Odland at Dell Rapids Lutheran Church. The couple then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Don attended medical school for four years at Marquette University. They then moved to Minneapolis while Don completed a two-year residency. In 1954 the couple moved to Luverne, where Don built his medical practice and Mary was a homemaker and cared for their children.
Mary was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne and was active in circle, GLCW, and 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 their lake home in Alexandria, as well as trips to Mexico, Hawaii and the ancestral home of Norway with a group from Augustana College.
Mary is survived by five children, Mark (Pat) Odland, Alexandria, David (Sharon) Odland, Alexandria, Debra Odland, Woodbury, Paul Odland, Alexandria, and Steve Odland, Luverne; 10 grandchildren, Mark, Matthew, Tony, Kristoffer, Laura, Eric, Ryan, Will, Wade and Wyatt; 13 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her parents; and her brother, John Hermanson.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
 (0921 F)

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.