Donald J. 'Don' Odegaard, 75

Don J. Odegaard, 75, of Rock Lake, N.D., died Thursday, July 23, 2009, at Presentation Medical Center in Rolla, N.D.

Donald James Odegaard was born on March 7, 1934, to Peter and Mae (Rasmussen) Odegaard at rural Egeland, N.D. Don was raised and attended school at Egeland.

He entered the U.S. Army on Oct. 29, 1953, and served until his honorable discharge in 1955.

Don married Wynn O'Brien on Sept. 30, 1955, in Minneapolis. After their marriage, the couple moved to Whitefish, where Don worked for the Great Northern Railroad.

They lived there until 1969, when they moved to Rock Lake, where they took over her parents' business and built a new grocery store, which they ran for 14 years. Don started a construction company in 1979, along with his sons, Mike and Lee. In 1999 Don retired. Don then worked for the Rock Lake Public School as a janitor with his son and daughter, Darren and Darla, until his time of death. Wynn died on April 6, 2002.

Don really enjoyed working with wood, especially with projects like building unique log beds and furniture.

He was a past member of the City Council and Fire Department. He was an active member of the All Nations Lutheran Church in Rock Lake.

Don is survived by his children, Michael of Bigfork, Lee and Becky of Issaquah, Wash., Darren and Connie of Perth, N.D., and Darla and Mark Hunt of Rock Lake. Other survivors include his brothers and sisters, Pauline "Polly" Nikolaisen of Kalispell, Doris "Dorie" Johnson of Cando, N.D., Lucille "Lucy" Gau of Cando, Alvin "Al" and Charlotte of Arizona, Everette and Letha of California, and Wayne "Bill" and Mary of Clovis, N.M.; along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Wynn; his parents; brothers and sisters, Alfred "Bud," Florence Nikolaisen, Howard "Dutch," and Louella Schaefer; an infant brother, Robert; and Anna-Mae.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 27, at All Nations Lutheran Church in Rock Lake. Military rites will be conducted by Mooney-Carnahan Post No. 8196, Rock Lake VFW. Burial will be held at All Nations Lutheran Cemetery.

Online condolences can be sent at www.dunnigandix.com.