Rev. Stephen E. Odegaard

Rev. Stephen E. Odegaard

Born August 15, 1945 in Moline, Illinois, Steve was raised in the small farming and oil community of Tioga, North Dakota. During his early years, much time was spent at a variety of jobs - paper boy (he was named "Paper Boy of the Year"), helping his dad and other farmers in the area, grocery store clerk, and working as a welder's helper on a pipeline project where he survived a trench cave in.
Graduating from Tioga High School in 1963, Steve attended Minot State College for one year, followed by one year at California Lutheran Bible School in Los Angeles, CA. In the fall of 1965, Pastor Steve enrolled in Northwest College in Kirkland, WA and in 1966, was joined in Bellevue, WA by his parents and younger brother. In 1967, Pastor Steve enrolled in the newly- established Association of Free Lutheran Congregations (AFLC) seminary in Minneapolis, MN.
During this period, Steve continued to date his high school sweetheart and, on August 24, 1969, was united in marriage to Linda (Guttormson) Odegaard. This marriage was blessed with two sons, Kevin and David. Beginning in 1969, "Pastor Steve" and Linda also began serving AFLC congregations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Pastor Steve became "official" in June, 1970 when he completed his studies at the AFLC Seminary and was ordained as a pastor in the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations.
Over the next 40 years, Pastor Steve served congregations in Colfax, Wisconsin; Winger, Minnesota; Hatton and Buxton, North Dakota; Eugene, Oregon; Olympia and Kirkland, Washington; two rural congregations (Beaver Creek and Norman) near his hometown of Tioga, North Dakota; Snohomish, WA; Culbertson, MT and finally Everett, WA.
In 2001, Pastor Steve lost his life partner of 32 years to her lifelong battle with diabetes and began his own very serious battle with the same disease.
In June, 2008, Pastor Steve was again blessed by God when he was united in marriage with Peggy (Schuman) Odegaard. While brief in years, theirs was also a marriage filled with love, hope, and courage as Pastor Steve continued to serve his congregation and fight for his life. Finally, in May, 2010, Pastor Steve retired from full time pastoral duties and transitioned to filling in when needed.
Pastor Steve went home to Jesus on January 19, 2011 in Everett, WA.
He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin; and his brother, Gary.
A beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, cousin, nephew, and friend, Pastor Steve is survived by his wife, Peggy; sons, David (Rachel, Lucy, Charlotte) and Kevin (Micki, Maddie, Jackson, Lilly); stepchildren Jim, John (Mary), and Cheryl (Lorraine); mother Twyla; brother, Tom (Bonnie, Katie, Megan, Mackenzie); 15 nieces and nephews; two aunts; numerous cousins; and countless individuals he touched throughout his 40 years of ministry.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the doctors and nurses that helped Steve and the family during this difficult time, including the ER nurses Cheri and John; CCU nurses Jennifer, Vicki, Kim, Brittany, Tommy, and Carol; and the hospitalist doctors. Also, a very special thank you to Dr. Christian Schmidt for his years of dedicated service and friendship to Steve.
Additionally, the family would like to thank Calvary Lutheran Church and the AFLC. Both were so incredibly supportive during Steve's long battle with his health.
There was a public viewing at Solie Funeral Home in Everett, WA on Sunday, January 23, 2011.
A celebration of Pastor Steve's life was held on Monday, January 24, 2011 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Everett, WA, Pastor Steve's last stop before Heaven. His body was interred at Sunset Hills in Bellevue, WA.