Bud Odland

CLARION – Earl “Bud” Odland, 95, of Holmes, passed away Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 at his home outside of Holmes.

Funeral services for Earl Odland were held on Monday, Jan. 31 at 10:30 a.m. at Holmes Lutheran Church, 2139 Hancock Avenue, rural Clarion with Pastor Ron Wik officiating. Burial was at Holmes Lutheran Cemetery south of Holmes.

Visitation was held Sunday, Jan. 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Holmes Lutheran Church, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Earl S. (Bud) Odland was born April 23, 1926 at his farm home north of Holmes, the son of Earl R. and Clara (Stenson) Odland. He attended Lake Township No. 4 Country School and Clarion High School, graduating in 1944.

The evening of his graduation day, he left to serve in the U.S. Navy. He spent over two years in the South Pacific aboard the USS Fayette and witnessed the raising of the American Flag on Iwo Jima. He was honorably discharged in June of 1946, returned home and began farming with his father.

In 1953, he was united in marriage to Lela Hill. They farmed north of Holmes their entire married life. He felt very grateful that he was able to farm some of the same land for 80 years with his father and later his sons. He never fully retired from farming and continued working as long as his health allowed. Bud was able to remain in his home until his death thanks to wonderful caregivers and family.

Bud was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and visited family in Norway in 1988. He enjoyed sharing family and local history with those he knew. He served for many years on the Holmes Co-op Elevator Board, Wright County Extension Council, Lake Township trustee board, Holmes Lutheran Cemetery board. He belonged to the Sons of Norway Lodge and was a member of the Goldfield American Legion Post #370.

He was baptized, confirmed and a lifetime member of Holmes Lutheran Church. He served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, church council member, and was on the building committee for the new church in 1986.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lela in 2015, his parents, sisters Norine Odland, Segnora Wheeler (Bill) and Elma Lynch (Lowell), brothers-in-law Dale Hill (Avis) and Myron Hill, Jr. and son-in-law, Steve Klapperich.

He is survived by his children David (Annette) of Clarion, Laura Klapperich of Osage, Lisa (Jon) Harris of Akron and Dan (Lynne) of Clarion; grandchildren: Andrew (Katie) Odland, Nathan (Katie) Harris, Allison Klapperich, Rachel Harris, Ben Klapperich, Cara Odland, Luke (Cassie) Odland, Michael (Tabitha) Harris, Colin Odland, Matt (Laura) Odland and Lauren Odland; great grandchildren: Emma, Reese and Case Harris, Jack, Lydia and Anna Odland, Brynlee Odland and Clara Odland; and sister-im-law Dorla Hill.

Memorials may be made to the Holmes Lutheran Cemetery Association.

Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East, Clarion, Iowa 50525, 515-532-2233, www.ewingfh.com