Odell A. Johnson

Odell A. Johnson, 83 of Fargo, died Sunday, September 20, 2015 at Sanford Health in Fargo.

Odell was born on March 10, 1932 to parents Adolph and Beatrice (Ostenson) Johnson. He was born and raised in Barrett, MN. He also attended school in Barrett, graduating in 1950. Odell went on to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and graduated in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree. He married Arlene Johnson on June 13, 1954 in Elbow Lake, MN.

Arlene and Odell made their home in Fargo and he later attended NDSU and graduated with a Master’s degree in entomology in 1966. He owned and operated Jacobson Rug Cleaners until 1967. Odell worked as an entomologist at the bio-science research lab for the USDA from 1965-1997.

Odell was a past board president and volunteer at Sunset Memorial Gardens. He was also active with the Fargo Model Cities Program, Indian Guide Program, as well as the YMCA. He was a long-time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday school for 25 years, was a long-time choir member, and also served as president of the Men’s Club.

Odell is survived by his wife, Arlene; children, Marjorie (Robert) Dregseth of Fargo, Sylvia (Kory) Schindler of Champlin, MN, Nancy (Todd) Quatier of Rosholt, SD, and Jennifer Mercier Hyden of Fargo; daughter-in-law, Mary Johnson, Glenwood, MN; grandchildren, Melissa and Trent Dregseth, Kjersti and Britta Johnson, Kara and Travis (Kristina) Schindler, Sarah and Josh Quatier, and Nathan and Emily Mercier; siblings, LeRoy (Norma) Johnson, Burton Johnson, Ronald (Kay) Johnson, Leon (Faith) Johnson, Carolyn (John) Wiig, Karen (Robert) Olson, and Eileen (Ronald) Werk; brother-in-law, Gary Peterson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ione; and son, Mark.