Ward Odell

Ward B. Odell, 81, of Tekamah died Wednesday, May 14, 2008, in Tekamah.

He was born April 28, 1927, in May, Okla., to William Bowden and Alma Adelia (Leffler) Odell. He attended country school until sixth grade and graduated from Laverne High School in Laverne, Okla., in 1945. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and went to San Diego for boot camp. He and his brother were sent home due to a farm deferment. He married Joan Hutt on Nov. 20, 1950, in Sterling, Colo. He worked in the oil fields then construction before he became a commercial cattle feeder in Valley. In 1975, he and his wife moved to Burt County to farm and then moved to Tekamah in 1980, where he worked for the city until retiring.

He was a member of Craig United Methodist Church.

Survivors include: his wife; four daughters, Lora (and husband, Charlie) Krajicek of Omaha, Debbie (and husband, Dick) Wild of Fremont, Judy (and husband, Kenny) Argintean of Valley and Dee (and husband, Kim) Snow of Tekamah; two sisters, Edith Sair of Silver Springs, Md., and Elnora Alvis of Wichita, Kan.; 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by six sisters, four brothers and a grandson.

The funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at United Methodist Church in Tekamah with the Rev. Richard Tiggelaar officiating. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Friday at Pelan Funeral Home in Tekamah with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service time Saturday at the church. Burial will be in Tekamah Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to Craig United Methodist Church.