Leroy 'Bud' Odalen, 91

Leroy "Bud" M. Odalen, age 91, of Spring Valley, Wis., died Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Spring Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Bud was born Nov. 2, 1921, in El Paso Township, Pierce County, Wis., the son of Amund and Ida (Place) Odalen. He was baptized, confirmed, and married at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Beldenville, Wis.

Bud grew up on the family farm in El Paso Township where he also attended school. He farmed the home farm for a number of years. On Sept. 17, 1942, he married Marion Steiner at Our Savior's and continued farming until 1946. He went to work for Maple Island in New Richmond for about 3 years. Bud then took a job with the Ellsworth Creamery where he worked for 38 years. After retiring, he worked another 12 years at M.A.I. in Spring Valley.

Bud was an avid sports fan and loved attending the activities of his kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and watching the Packers. He and Marion were always together. They had good times with their many friends. They enjoyed going up north spending time at their son Ron's cabin in Danbury, Wis.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his daughter Ellie; son-in-law Larry Hoolihan; great-grandson Benjamin Odalen; brothers, John (Alpha) Odalen, Arnold (Hazel) Odalen; sisters Alma (Ed) Carlson, Eleanor (Eric) Johnson, and Florence (Ed) Neiderhauser; and brother-in-law Canton Christopherson.

He is survived by wife Marion of Spring Valley; sons Ron (Janet) Odalen of Mendota Heights, Minn., Bill (Chris) Odalen of Bergenfield, N.J.; daughter Bonnie (Jim) Anderson of River Falls; son-in-law Gregg (Jane) Kado of Spring Valley; sister Mildred Christopherson of Ellsworth; sister-in-law Cecelia Mickelson of Wayzata, Minn.; 10 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; special friends Elna Cady and Paul and Ardith Howard; many other relatives and friends.

Funeral service was at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 14, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Spring Valley, with Rev. Erin Nelson officiating. Visitation was from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, at Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley, and also at church for 1 hour prior to the service on Monday. Pallbearers were Ron Odalen, Bill Odalen, Jim Anderson, Gregg Kado, Vic Langer, Bob Langer, Roger Langer, and Jay Langer. Burial will be at a later date in Lost Creek Cemetery, El Paso Township, Wis.

Keehr Funeral Home (www.keehrfuneralhome.com) in Spring Valley is assisting the family with arrangements.

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