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November 17, 2012

Kenneth 'Ken' Odell

—   Kenneth L. Odell, age 77, died peacefully on November 16, 2012. Ken was born March 18, 1935 in Montrose, SD to Robert and Cora (Hetland) Odell.  He graduated from Montrose High School in 1953.  He graduated from South Dakota State University at Brookings in 1957 with a degree in Pharmacy. Ken was a pharmacist in Valley Springs, SD before relocating to St. Peter in 1963.  After working for Dry Pharmacy, he purchased the business and renamed it Odell Rexall Pharmacy in 1965. He sold the business in 1981. He went on to become a general agent for Lutheran Brotherhood, retiring in 1997. After retirement, he volunteered at Monroe Elementary, Habitat for Humanity and the ECHO Food Shelf.

  Ken married Jane (Johnson) Briggs on July 29, 1991 in Stillwater. He was previously married to Joan (Lewis) Sercl for 28 years.  Ken was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandpa, brother and friend.  He enjoyed music, fixing things, and spending time at the cabin on Ten Mile Lake near Hackensack. But Kens greatest love was his family and the many memories they created together.

  Ken is survived by his wife, Jane of Mankato; six children, Lindi (Craig) Bitter of Saline, MI, Teri (Henry) LeMaire of Corpus Christi, TX, Karen (Scott) Youngblom of Saline, MI, Sandy (Stephane) Billat of Broomfield, CO, Becca (Lance) Kansas of Cottage Grove, and Megan (Steve) Speers of Hopkins; thirteen grandchildren, Kelsi and Jori Bitter, Kellen and Lindsey Mahone and Leah LeMaire, Luke and Abby Youngblom, Antoine and Jacques Billat, Emma and Drew Kansas, Lucy and Annabelle Speers; sister, Mary Ann Jacobsen of Sioux Falls, SD; two sisters-in-law, Judy (Forrest) Chaffee of St. Peter and Jeanne (Frank) Agnello of Olympia, WA; nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as numerous friends and loved ones that will all miss him dearly,

  Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Cora and Bob Odell; brother, Bobby Odell and brother-in-law, Tom Jacobsen.

  A Memorial Service will be held at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2012, with Rev. Dennis Heiden, officiating.   Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be in St. Peters Lutheran Cemetery, Madison, South Dakota.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Habitat for Humanity, ECHO Food Shelf or a charity of the donors choice. Mankato Mortuary is assisting with arrangements.

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