SUN PRAIRIE - Edna Claire (Betlach) Odegaard, age 79, of Sun Prairie, passed away on Monday, July 15, 2024, at the home of her son, Patrick, in Friendship, Wis. She was born on Jan. 16, 1945, in Madison, the daughter of Andrew and Edna (Skrenes) Betlach.

Edna was raised on a dairy farm in Sun Prairie and graduated from Sun Prairie High School in 1963. She was united in marriage to Roger Odegaard on Aug. 2, 1985, in Madison. Shortly thereafter, Edna and Roger moved to California with dreams of warmer weather and boundless opportunities. She was bold, brave, and would not shy from challenges despite her visual impairment. She knew things did not always come easy but with hard work and determination, anything was possible.

She was a proud business owner in the food industry. Edna was devoted to God and found the fellowship at church to be very meaningful. She explored the world and was proud of her Norwegian and Czech heritage. Family and friends were of utmost importance to Edna. She shared a long-lasting friendship with her friends from school and adulthood. Edna loved her kids with her whole heart and her pets gave her comfort and happiness in life. She traveled, chased her dreams, worked in a profession she loved, fell in love, and accomplished much more than she ever imagined. She did all this with grace, dignity, integrity, and courage.

Edna will be deeply missed by her daughter, Shawn (Brad) Nelson; sons, Patrick (Holly) Grulke, Robert Grulke and Scott Grulke; brother, John (Marilyn) Betlach; grandsons, Zachary Grulke, Cody Grulke, and Collin Nelson; two great-grandsons; and nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew, and Edna; husband, Roger Odegaard; and son, David Grulke.

Rest in peace, dear Edna. Your compassion and bravery continue to inspire all those who had the privilege of knowing you. Your legacy lives on in the countless lives you touched with your caring and loving nature.

A funeral service will be held at BRISTOL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 6835 County Highway N, Sun Prairie, at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 22, 2024, with the Rev. Robert Moberg presiding. Burial will follow the service at Prairie Mound Cemetery in Oregon, Wis. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be gifted in Edna’s name to the Lion’s Eye Bank or to a wildlife foundation of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon
Funeral & Cremation Care
1150 Park St.
(608) 835-3515

Edna (Betlach) Odegaard

January 16, 1945 - July 15, 2024

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