Genevieve Odegaard

Genevieve Stenette Severtson Odegaard was born June 22, 1911, in Gruver, Iowa, to Rev. Thom and Anna (Murley) Severtson. She was baptized in Gruver and confirmed in Eagle Grove, Iowa, by her father. She graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1928, and attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, where she met her future husband, Gustav B. Odegaard. In 1930, Gen transferred to St. Olaf College and received her B.A. in English in 1932. She returned to Eagle Grove as a school teacher and used her income to repay her parents so her brothers could attended college.

On June 7, 1939, she married Gustav B. Odegaard at Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove. In July, the couple moved to Ketchikan, Alaska, their first parish. A daughter, Anna, and a son, Thaddaeus, were born to them in Ketchikan. Their son died and is buried in Ketchikan. In 1942, they moved to Santa Barbara, California, where their daughter Ruth was born. They moved to Silver Lake, Iowa, where Gustav was called to serve in his home parish in 1945. In 1948, they moved to Hanley Falls, Minnesota, and then in 1951 to Northfield. While living in Northfield, Gen worked as a librarian at St. Olaf, became the first adult librarian of the St. Olaf Music Library, and was one of the organists at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Gen joined Gus in Appleton, Minnesota in the summer of 1962 where he was serving Zion Lutheran Church. In 1969 they moved to southeastern Minnesota to serve the Fountain and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches. After Gus retired Gen became choir director at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston, Minnesota. In the churches they served Gen was always an active partner with Gustav and often served as choir director and/or organist. In 1986, they returned to Northfield, where Gustav passed away on August 14, 1988. Gen served for several years on the district board of the ALCW, and as organist at Vang Lutheran Church in Dennison. She was an active member of St. John’s and sang for many years in the adult choir. She was a voracious reader on all topics, enjoyed people, and loved music. At the age of 95, with her eyesight diminished, she made a CD of hymns she could play from memory.

Survivors include 2 daughters and their husbands: Anna and Richard Thissen of Kenyon, Ruth and David Legvold of Northfield; 3 grandchildren and their spouses: Jennifer and Justin Swain of St. Paul, Michael and Tania Legvold of Northfield, Mark and Jayme Legvold of Northfield; 4 great-grandchildren: Kai Legvold, Erin, Torr & Jorgan Legvold; one brother and his wife, Murley and Jeannette Severtson of Clear Lake, Iowa; sister-in-law, Hazel Severtson of San Diego, California; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, her son, her parents, and 3 brothers: Thomas, Ansle and Luther Severtson.

Genevieve passed away Friday afternoon, August 22, 2008, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, at the age of 97 years and 2 months.

Funeral services will be10:30 A.M. Wednesday, August 27, 2008, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with Rev. John E. Quam officiating. Music will be provided by John Ferguson and Beverly Sorenson. Interment will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, Northfield. Casket bearers will be Michael Legvold, Mark Legvold, Jennifer Swain, John Severtson, David Severtson & Thomas Haas. Visitation will be 4-7PM Tuesday, August 26, 2008, at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to the funeral.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.