Louis Odendahl

   Louis Patrick, son of Albert Edward and Emma (Wieland) Odendahl, was born February 12, 1918 at home on the farm north of Carroll, Iowa.  He attended Mount Carmel school through the 8th grade.   He worked on the family farm and during the Great Depression he followed the harvest, working all through the Midwest and out to the west coast.  Louis worked on the railroad and later started farming with his brother Arnold back in the Carroll area.

   On May 19, 1942 Louis was united in marriage with Deloris Bluml.  This union was blessed with four sons.  They farmed southeast of Carroll for two years and south of Manning for thirteen years.  In 1959 they bought the current family farm north of Manning.  Louis worked trucking as well starting in the 1970’s. Louis was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Manning.  He enjoyed bowling and playing cards with family and friends.  In later years he enjoyed wood-working.

   While vacationing in April of 1983, Deloris died suddenly and unexpectedly in Wyoming.  Louis then retired and moved to Manning.  Louis and Erna Muhlbauer were married June 10, 1995, and also made their home in Manning.  They spent some winters in Texas through the years. They established a family tradition of Sunday dinners for the family in their home.

   Louis moved to the Manning Plaza Nursing Home in November of 2015.  He died there on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at the age of 98 years, 7 months and 19 days.

   He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Deloris Odendahl; granddaughter Kaelyn Odendahl; brothers: George (Fern), Edward, Arnold (Rose) and Don (Katie) Odendahl; and sister Sister Marie Odendahl.

   Louis is survived by his wife Erna Odendahl of Manning; sons: Ronald Odendahl (Edna) of Carroll; Gary Odendahl (Karen) of Carroll; Joe Odendahl (Sharon) of Manning; Lynn Odendahl of Manning; 13 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; step children: Mary Frederiksen (Mark) of Atlantic; Elizabeth Eckhoff (Allen) of Beartrice, NE; Joleen Strosahl (Bill) of Council Bluffs; 6 step grandchildren; 6 step great grandchildren; Deloris’ siblings: Margaret Hinners, Ardella Irlbeck, Charlene Stork, Glen Bluml (Sharon), Don Bluml (Carol), Bernice Bluml and Faye Bluml; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Reverend John Gerald, Celebrant

Michelle Vollstedt   Julie Southwick         

Eucharistic Minister

Michelle Vollstedt

Nicole Odendahl   Heather Kusel

Hanna and McKenna Mullen

Music

“Ave Maria”  Devon Strosahl, Vocalist

“Here I Am, Lord”   “On Eagle’s Wings”

“How Great Thou Art”

Sacred Heart Choir    Anne Muhlbauer, Accompanist

  Casket Bearers

Paul Odendahl   Steve Odendahl   Scott Odendahl

Patrick Odendahl   Brooke Odendahl  

Kaylee Odendahl   Stacie Mullen   Laurie Wellendorf

Sacred Heart Cemetery, Manning