Jerry Odden

Minot

Jerry Allen Odden, 74, Minot, formerly of the Maddock area, passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at his residence.

Jerry was born February 16, 1948 at Maddock ND, the son of Palmer Sr. and Fern (Jones) Odden. He was raised at Flora ND and attended school in Maddock where he graduated in 1966. After attending Lake Region Junior College for one year, he received specialized Volkswagen training in Grand Forks ND and Chicago IL.

Jerry moved to Minot in 1969, where he was employed for several years with the Ted Schweigert Volkswagen dealership and then with Fisher Motor, both in the Service Department. He was once married to Carol (Holter) Steffan. From this marriage two sons were born, Robert and Jeffrey.

In more recent years, Jerry was employed with Flexi-Coil Farm Machinery as a regional salesman and then with Morrelli’s Distributing as a mechanic. He was once married to Virginia (Bossert) Odden.

Jerry had been a member of Moose Lodge and Sons of Norway and was well thought of for his friendliness and helping out friends, neighbors, family and co-workers when they needed anything. Jerry was known for proficiency on his job, his witty jokes and making people smile. He enjoyed socializing with friends, traveling, and made it a priority to spend quality time with his family, including holidays with his children and grandchildren. His hobbies included music, fishing, shooting pool, bowling, and time in the countryside and back home with his brothers, sisters, and cousins.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Palmer Sr. and Fern, and brothers, Elmer “Bubbers” and David.

Jerry is survived by his sons, Rob Odden, Minot, and Jeff (Alexis) Odden, Reiles Acres ND, stepdaughter, Margaret (Chad) Smith, Chattanooga TN; 5 grandchildren, Kelsey “Kaden”, Alexa, Colton & Cash; Ashley Nicole; 1 great grandson, Javien; siblings, Palmer Jr. “Puddos” (Polly) Odden, Devils Lake ND, Donnie (Dawn) Odden, Grand Rapids MN, Roger Odden, Minnewauken ND, Sharon “Susie” Narveson, Cando ND, Kenny Odden, Maddock ND, Patty (Les) Cray, Billings MT, Bradley Odden, Maddock, Curtis (Karla) Odden, Mandan ND, Renee Gilderhus, West Fargo, Ricky (Carrie) Odden, Fargo, Debbie (John) Thrasher, Bismarck, Danny (Cindy) Odden, Maddock, Holly (Tom) Lysne, Maple Grove MN, and Paul Odden, Bismarck; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and many loving friends.

Celebration of Life Service: Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Free Lutheran Church, located at 530 22nd Ave NW, Minot. ** To view a livestream of the service or send a message of sympathy, please go to Jerry’s obituary page at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com

Visitation: Friday, January 13th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Interment: Flora Cemetery, rural Maddock, ND, later in the Spring of 2023.

Memorials: Preferred to donor’s choice, First Lutheran Soup Kitchen, Immanuel Baptist Soup Kitchen, or Bethel Free Lutheran Church.

Published by The Minot Daily News, January 11, 2023.