FRANK ODENS

Due to current health concerns, private funeral services for Frank Odens, 84, of Springfield were Saturday, November 7 at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield. Burial was in the Springfield Cemetery, rural Springfield. Peters Funeral Chapel in Springfield was in charge of arrangements.

Frank L. Odens, 84, of Springfield, passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Center in Tyndall on November 3, 2020.

Frank was born November 2, 1936 to Charlie and Jennie (DeRoos) Odens at their farm east of Springfield. He attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Springfield High School in 1954. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Southern State Teachers College (SSTC) in 1958 and later obtained his Masters degree from Northern State College in Aberdeen in 1967. Frank also served in the National Guard for six years.

Frank married the love of his life Peggy Ann Odens on July 2, 1957 at the Kingsburg Church. Following Frank’s graduation from SSTC, Frank and Peggy moved to Avon where he started his 38 year career in the education field including subsequent stops in Kimball, Round Lake, MN, Wessington Springs and ending with a 22 year stint in Stickney, where he served as Superintendent. Following Frank’s retirement in 1996, Peggy and he moved to their home on the Missouri River in Springfield, where Frank enjoyed meticulously caring for his large yard and flower beds and entertaining his grandchildren and great-grandkids.

Frank will be fondly remembered and cherished as a loving husband, father and grandpa as well as a loyal friend and faithful and loving servant of the Lord. He also favorably touched the lives of hundreds of students, teachers and peers alike, a number of whom recognized and thanked him for his guidance and support even many years later.

Those thankful for sharing his life are his wife of 63 years, Peggy, their sons: Doug (Jodi) Odens, Wagner Mike (Katie) Odens, Alexandria, MN, Don Odens, Stickney and Mick (Patti) Odens, Sioux Falls; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; two brothers Darrel (Elaine) Odens, Avon and Chuck (Joan) Odens, Forest City, IA; brother-in-law Harlan Ferwerda, Springfield; sister-in-law Ilene (Bob) Pudwill, Springfield; and many relatives and friends.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, mother and father-in-law, Fred and Sue Dykman; sisters: Charlotte (Marvin) Mudder, Naomi (Fritz) Hale, and Carol Ferwerda; brothers Phillip G. Odens and Delbert Odens (in infancy); brother-in-law LeRoy Jochims; and grandson Nicholas Odens.

Memorials are requested to the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, to help subsidize tuition for youth to attend church camp or to the charity of your choice.