Leona Allene Odegarden

Leona Allene Odegarden, 89, of Chatfield, died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield where she had resided for 5 months.

Leona was born Jan. 23, 1923, in rural Stewartville to Chris Groen and Agnes (Vander Aarde) Groen. She attended grade school and high school in Chatfield graduating in 1940. On Oct. 7, 1941,she married Cyrus E. Odegarden in Pilot Mound. Leona was a homemaker, she also worked at IBM, Rush Products, Chatfield Bakery and the Chatfield Hotel. Cyrus was a farmer and worked at IBM.

She was a member of the Pilot Mound Lutheran Church. Leona was a great cook, she especially enjoyed treating all the kids to fantastic cake donuts. She also enjoyed playing the organ, sewing, knitting, loved to travel, and loved playing cards with friends. Leona was a great quilter. She loved the bonfires at the farm, Rosemaling, auxiliary at the Methodist Hospital, doing pottery and boating on the Mississippi.

She will be greatly missed by her family and all that knew her.

Leona is survived by three children, Carmen (Ralph) McGuire of Byron, Thomas Odegarden of Minnetonka and Jean Odegarden of Chatfield; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Ivadean Isensee of Stewartville and Emily Hoffman of Chatfield.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Cyrus, a brother Andrew and a sister, Geneva.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at the Pilot Mound Lutheran Church in rural Chatfield, with Rev. Ron and Janet Warnes officiating. Burial will be in Pilot Mound Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday Jan. 4, at the Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield, and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to the Pilot Mound Cemetery.

Riley Funeral Home in Chatfield is in charge of arrangements. 507-867-4310. www.rileyfuneralhomes.com