IRENE CLARICE ODENS, age 88, of Ellsworth, died Monday, April 15, 2013, at the Sanford Hospital in Luverne. She was born July 10, 1924, in Osceola County, IA, to Klaas and Bertha (Groen) Krull. She attended country school in rural Osceola County.
Irene married Lawrence Odens on October 23, 1943, in Little Rock, IA. After their marriage, the couple farmed north of Little Rock, IA, for over forty years. While farming, they also owned & operated the café in Rock Rapids, IA, from 1967 to 1968. Irene also worked at Campbell's Soup Co. in Worthington. In 1984, they retired and moved to Ellsworth where Irene worked at Parkview Manor Nursing Home.
She was a member of Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. She enjoyed fishing, gardening and mowing her lawn.
Irene is survived by her four daughters, Linda (Dale) Kruse, rural Little Rock, IA; Colette (Ray Siemonsma) Smythe, Ellsworth; Karla (Reid) Colwell, Sioux Falls, SD; and Lila (Dan) Boltjes, rural Ellsworth; fifteen grandchildren, Brian Kruse, Donell (Brad) Nagel, Darla Hart, Denise (Sterling) Severtson, Deanna Leuthold, Darci (Josh) Alexander, Brandon (Tracy) Kruse, Toby (Barbara) Smythe, Shauna (Jason) Tweet, Krista (Benton) Boom, Jesse (Lori) Colwell, Jobi (Megan) Colwell, Josh (Marcy) Colwell, Shari (Bruce) Nerison & Lisa (Cliff) Lynn; seventeen great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; sister, Joyce (Dale) Solma, Little Rock, IA; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Krull, Sheldon, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence Odens, on February 25, 2004; two great granddaughters, Sarah Nagel & Kayla Duin; a brother, Jake Krull; and a sister, Henrietta (Herbert) Herding.
Visitation will be from 6-8 pm Thursday at the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth; and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Funeral will be 11 am Friday at the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock, IA.
Dingmann Funeral Home, in Adrian, is in charge of arrangements.
To view an online obituary, sign a virtual register book or order flowers, please visit www.dingmannandsonms.com

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