Odell Foss

  Odell Foss, 85, Grand Forks, ND, passed away Saturday, July 1, 2017 in Bemidji, MN.  Odell Leroy Foss was born February 5, 1932 in Heimdal, ND, the son of Andrew and Olga (Deiseth) Foss. He attended school in Heimdal and graduated from Fessenden High School in 1950. He moved to Grand Forks in August of 1950 to attend Aaker’s Business College and worked part time for the Nash Finch Company.  Odell entered the U. S. Army in August of 1952, serving with the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea. He was discharged in August of 1954 and enrolled at the University of North Dakota where he graduated in 1958. He returned to work for the Nash Finch Co, spending time in Mason City, IA, Hastings, NE and Fargo, ND. Odell began employment at the University of North Dakota in 1962 as a Purchasing Agent, a position he held for many years.  Odell was a member of the Educational and Institutional Buying Group and the National Association of Educational buyers. He was on the board of directors of the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #6 and an active member of St Mark’s Lutheran Church in Grand Forks.  Odell married Eleanor Hagen on October 2, 1954 at Grand Marais Lutheran Church, East Grand Forks. Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Eleanor; sons, Rodney of Thief River Falls, MN, Ronald (and Marcia) of Maple Grove, MN, Randy of Grand Forks and Kathy (and Scott) Sondrol of Grand Forks; 9 grandchildren, Brooke (Seth) Dokken,  Jamie (Tyler) Anderson, Sidney (Christopher) Compton, Tyler (Annie) Sondrol, Ashley Sondrol, Garrett Sondrol, Kaitlyn Foss, Casey Foss; 9 great grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred Clark of Mesa, AZ, Lila Mohr of Stillwater, MN and sister-in-law Colleen Foss of Willmar, MN.  He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Cody Sondrol; his brothers, Bernard and Syvert "Sy"; sisters, Alice Watson, Gilma Rasmussen and Helen Mack. Odell enjoyed attending University of North Dakota sporting events, hunting, tending to his yard and coffee with the guys, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family. His family and friends will remember Odell for his wonderful sense of humor always ready with a joke to share.  Funeral Services will be 10:30 AM Thursday, July 6, 2017 in St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery of Grand Forks.