Obituary of Theresa Odegaard

ODEGAARD – Mrs. Theresa 1929 - 2016 On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, Theresa Odegaard passed away peacefully in Mont St. Joseph’s Home, Prince Albert, at the age of 87years. Theresa will be missed and is lovingly remembered by her six children: Julie Lutter (Reinhold) of Edmonton, AB, Pat Lingel (Allan) of Saskatoon, Sask., Connie MacLeod (Cameron) of Cold Lake, AB, Kim Odegaard of Edmonton, AB, Lynn Schiele (Lyle) of Summerland, BC, Scott Odegaard (Diane) of Cochrane, AB; her 12 grandchildren: Aaron Lutter (Tangerine), Tyson Lutter, Travis Lutter and, Terris Lutter (Matthew McDonough), Carla Boisvert (Jason), Paul Gibson, Brandon MacLeod, Sheena MacLeod (Adam Neiman), Cara and Danelle Schiele and Benjamin and Maxime Odegaard; and 5 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Christine Haldorson, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Hans and Norah Odegaard as well as many nieces and nephews. Theresa was predeceased by her husband, Walter Odegaard; her parents, Anna and Arvid Lidstrom; a niece, Cindy Haldorson; and a grandson, Neal Gibson. Theresa was well known in the community of Canwood. “Grandma Theresa”, as she introduced herself in Canwood in later years, was a friend to all and active in many community events. Canwood was the town she knew as a child and was her home in retirement, before she moved to Mont St. Joseph’s Home in 2012. Before moving into Canwood, Theresa lived in Blue Heron with her husband, Walter and her family of six children. The first few years they lived in the back of the Blue Heron Store until a house was built. She was busy those years – the store, school meetings, driving kids to activities and socializing in Blue Heron Hall. Theresa met Walter after he came home from the Second World War. She invited him to her Graduation dance and their romance led to marriage. Walter and Theresa were married in 1950, after Theresa finished Business College. This was her father’s wish that both his daughters have post-secondary education so they could take care of themselves. She passed this value onto to her 6 children who all went onto Post Secondary education. Theresa put her business diploma in accounting to use, first working at Eaton’s in Prince Albert and then running the Blue Heron Store, post office, the trucking business and doing income Tax. In 1970, she used her business skills in the CIBC bank in Canwood. After Walter passed away in 1983, she took over the business. She also kept busy with activities in Canwood and Blue Heron: singing in the choir, church activities and helping out with social activities. She served on Church council; she helped with Museum; she helped with bus trips. Theresa did travel back to Sweden. The first time was in 1947 with her parents, Anna and Arvid Lidstrom, who were both from there, and then with her sister, Christine Haldorson in 2004. The family managed camping trips to Waskesiu Park, many trips to British Columbia, and that long one to Montreal for Expo in 1967. Theresa lived a full life. We remember her as being very smart and the person to have on your team when playing board games. She loved music, reading and playing cards. She was a good friend to all around her. Even as Alzheimer’s disease took away her memory, her speech and eventually all her health, she remained a happy person, affectionate and still singing songs. She will be missed. The family would like to thank all the staff at Mont St. Joseph’s Home for their gentle, and attentive care of our mother over the past years. We appreciate the love and care you gave her when we could not be near. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada. The Funeral Service for Theresa took place on Monday June 13, 2016 at 11:00 AM from the Zion Lutheran Church in Canwood, Sask. Following the service there was a time of lunch and fellowship in the Canwood Elk’s Seniors Room. Internment followed at Prince Albert Memorial Gardens. Family and friends wishing to send private online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Shellbrook 306-747-2828.