Dorothy “Dot” Arlene Odden, 79, of Shawano, formerly of Kindred, North Dakota, went to her home in Heaven on July 18, 2015, after over seven months of dealing with surgeries and many complications. She passed away in her home surrounded by family and friends.
Dot was born April 20, 1936, in Wahpeton, North Dakota, to Emil and Dagney (Elness) Odden. She lost her mother when Dot was only 11 months old and was raised by her uncle and aunt, Andrew and Marie Odden, along with their daughter, LaMae.
Growing up, Dot rode her horse to a one-room schoolhouse in rural McLeod, North Dakota. Dot helped Dad Andrew farm in the McLeod and Kindred areas. She attended Kindred High School and later Valley City State College to earn her teaching degree. She taught in Glendive, Montana, Harvey, North Dakota, and Rothsay, Minnesota. In the early 1970s she moved to Shawano, where she taught at Gresham and then at Franklin Middle School until her retirement.
After her retirement, she became more involved with the Shawano County Humane Society, where she was a board member for many years. She aided in fundraisers and other activities. She volunteered at Zion Lutheran Church ushering, greeting, serving Communion and mentoring confirmands.
Dot loved her God, her siblings, her nieces and nephews, the farm, sports, her beloved pets and reading. She had a very generous heart and always brought laughter where she went.
Dot is survived by her sister, LaMae Friskop, of Fargo, North Dakota; longtime friend and caretaker, Dolores Wronowski, of Shawano; sisters-in-law, Beth Odden, of Madison, Minnesota, and Joann Monson, of Moorhead, Minnesota; nieces and nephews, Dean, Carla, Rick, Kathy, Judy, Melissa, David, Greg, Scott, Laurie, Gary, Julie; and many dear, caring friends.
She was preceded in death by her “two” sets of parents, Emil and Dagney and Andrew and Marie; sister, Idella Haag; brothers, Dennis Odden and Terry Monson; nieces, Debra Danielson and Pam Monson; and brother-in-law, Arvid Friskop.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at Zion Lutheran Church, Shawano, with Pastor Scott Ludford officiating. Visitation was at Zion Lutheran Church on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, from 4-7 p.m. and continued on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the services.
Memorials may be made in Dot’s name to Zion Lutheran Church or the Shawano County Humane Society.
Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
The family would like to thank the Shawano Medical Center Hospital staff who cared for Dot many times, the Birch Hill staff, the Hospice at Home staff and the loving attention Dot received from her family doctor, Dr. Beth Gillis.
We hope you all have been blessed to have known Dot – the Christian Norwegian.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
