OBITUARY: Johanna (Dammen) Odden, 1861-1938, Mitchell County, Iowa



                        Johanna Dammen Odden

Mrs. Carl Odden, one of the well-known women of the Meroa district,
passed away at her home Sunday, April 24, 1938 at the age of 77 years,
2 months and 2 days.

Johanna, the daughter of Iver and Cora Dammen, was born at Hadeland,
Norway on February 22, 1861.  She grew to womanhood in her native land
and came to America with her father and his family in May 1882.  Since
that time she had been a resident of Cedar Township except for one year
spent in Superior, Wisconsin.

On June 10, 1892, she was united in marriage with Carl Odden.  They
settled on the homestead of his father, Lars Odden, on the county line
in Cedar Township, Mitchell County, Iowa, on which place she continued
to live until her death.  To this union five children were born: Olga,
Stella, Clara, Lloyd and Mabel.  Clara preceded her in death on March
29, 1920.  Her husband died April 14, 1914.

She is survived her son, Lloyd and daughter, Mrs. Elvin (Olga) Docken,
who together devotedly have cared for her during her last years; two
other daughter, Mrs. Gilbert (Stella) Anderson and Mrs. Lester (Mabel)
Anderson; one brother, Halvor Halvorson; five grandchildren and several
nieces and nephews.

She was baptized and confirmed in the Gran church in Norway and since
coming to this community has taken a keen interest and active part in
all the activities of the Rock Creek Lutheran church and the Ladies'
Aid society, of which she was a charter member.

In June 1932 she suffered a stroke from which she never fully recovered.
The last two years, although able to be about most of the time, she
was mostly confined to the chair on account of arthritis and rheumatism.
Her mind, however, remained bright and alert until the very last, but
becoming weary of this earthly life she longed for the rest of God’s
people in that blessed place where suffering and sorrows are unknown.

Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. O.C. Myhre from the home
at 1:00 and from the Rock Creek Lutheran Church at 2:00 on April 27,
1938.  Interment was in the Rock Creek Lutheran cemetery.



       Copyright 2005, Steve Norby