Kenneth Odegard Ralph

Ralph Kenneth Odegard: 1934-2025 It is with sadness that the family of Ralph Kenneth Odegard of Mariposa Gardens, Osoyoos BC announce his passing on July 28, 2025 at 90 years of age. He was born September 15, 1934, in Prince Albert, SK to Ragnvald and Kristiane Odegard. His first years were spent there until the family moved to Vancouver in 1943 for a year while his father worked in the shipyard. He recalled Vancouver as being a place of adventure for a young boy. Near the end of WW II, the family moved back to the prairies to a farm at Birch Hills, SK. The years on the farm provided many events for development and stories for him to recount throughout his life. Ralph attended University and Seminary in Saskatoon, with ordination in 1957 and marriage to Lucille Hagen followed by parish placements in Mclaughlin, AB and Morden, MB. Three children arrived before and a fourth during further Clinical training in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Chaplaincy at the Good Samaritan Society brought the family to Edmonton in 1967. A vocational move to exercise his construction skills and marriage to Dorothy in 1986 were followed by a move to Aklavik, NT and work with the RCMP while Dorothy provided nursing leadership there. Relocation in 1997 to Okanagan Falls, BC began the retirement phase of his life with construction of a new home on Skaha Lake. Preserving Okanagan fruit was particularly satisfying. Two siblings joined Ralph and Dorothy for retirement on Skaha Lake. Many joy filled years followed, with good friends at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Penticton. Teaching Sunday School and leading the Christmas Concert were highlights for him there. Ralph is survived by his wife of 39 years, Dorothy; children, Keith (Debra) Odegard, Mark (Magdalena) Odegard, Joanne (Marcus) Janzen, Arlen (Cynthia) Odegard; stepchildren, Glenn (Sherrill Wrubleski) Gering and Darlene Gering; sister, Gladys Odegard (Fil Fraser), brother, George (Marilyn) Odegard and numerous nieces and nephews. Ralph and Dorothy had 21 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Ragnvald and Kristiane Odegard; former spouse and mother of his children, Lucille; brother-in-law, Fil Fraser; sister, Irene and brother-in-law, Harold Cantelon, and daughter in-law Debra Odegard. A Funeral Service will be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1370 Church Street, Penticton, BC at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 4, 2025, luncheon and fellowship to follow in the church hall. Donations to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Penticton or Canadian Lutheran World Relief may be made. To send condolences please visit www.providencefuneralhomes.com.