Palma “Polly” Odegard

Minot

Palma “Polly” Odegard, 91, Minot, ND, formerly of Granville, ND, passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2023, in Minot Health and Rehab.

Palma Jeannette Miland was born on September 24, 1931, in Eleva, Wisconsin, the daughter of Tom and Edna (Helwig) Miland. She was raised and educated in Eleva, WI. In 1989, she was proud to complete her education by earning her GED from the Minot Adult Learning Center.

Polly married Allan C. Odegard on April 17, 1948, in Menomonie, WI. They made their home there for a few years before renting a farm near Mondovi, WI, where they started their family. Allan transferred to Farmers Union Creamery in Minot, ND, in 1960. The family then made their home in Granville, ND, where Palma continued to raise their children. Allan passed away October 12, 2009. For the last several years, Polly resided at Minot Health and Rehab.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Granville, where she was a Sunday School teacher and a member of the ladies aide and auxiliary.

Polly could be described as a soft-spoken lady. She was kind and loving. As far as a mother, she was a safe place to land. When life gave her children trouble, she was the person they could go to. She enjoyed gardening, church activities and occasionally going to Minot to get supplies and a meal. She did not drive, so she was happy to get picked up to go anywhere. She was a great cook. Always making things from scratch with no recipe or being creative. She was known for her pancakes and lefsa. She and her husband encouraged their children to attend church and always reminded them to say their prayers. They instilled faith in their children regardless of any circumstances life had in store for them. In raising their 10 children, she felt it was important to teach that relying on a person’s faith for guidance is a good plan to have in place for each of them.

When she was first admitted to Minot Health and Rehab, she found a way to make the best of the situation. She began by taking part in the activities and because of this, got to know about the staff and residents lives rather quickly. It seemed apparent that Polly enjoyed not having to cook anymore. She enjoyed playing bingo, listening to the special music that was provided, and worship time there for as long as she could. Later on, she enjoyed getting treats brought in and sitting outside when the weather was nice. She continued to take comfort in the smaller pleasures of life. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends who came to visit.

Her surviving family includes: children, Douglas (Barb) Odegard, Velva, ND Linda (Melvin) Venstad, Riverdale, ND, Sherri Odegard, Velva, Ruby (Dwane) Van Winkle, Burlington, ND, Pam (Donavon) Wagner, Bismarck, ND, Matthew (Cori) Odegard, Bismarck, ND, Emily (Greg) Holm, Crystal, and Melissa (Neil) Klein, Norwich, ND; 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and three great great-grandchildren; sister; Betty (David) Myren, Eleva, WI; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Miland, Appleton, WI, Violet Miland, Eau Claire, WI, and Ethel Odegard, Mondovi, WI; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Polly was preceded in death by her husband; parents; daughter, Judy Warmsbecker; son, Michael Odegard; grandsons, Rocky Wagner and Mark Hager; and brothers, Larry and Tom Miland.

Funeral: Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Granville.

Interment: Granville Community Cemetery, Granville, ND.

Visitation: Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials: are preferred to First Lutheran Church in Granville or Metigoshe Ministries.

The service will be video recorded for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompsonlarson.com.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, April 20, 2023.