Axel John Odden

Axel John Odden, 25, of Nome, Alaska, died on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at his home. In recent years, Axel has intensely enjoyed checking fishnets, gold mining, bird hunting, movies and music with his brother. He loved camping with his father at the fish house they built together near the beach. Axel had a wide taste for music from punk rock bands to jazz and country. He especially liked Lady Gaga and played Lou Bega's "Mambo Number 5" until everyone in his family had it memorized. He was a Green Bay Packer backer extraordinaire and wore #21 jersey for his favorite player, Charles Woodson. Attending an exhibit game at Lambeau Field with a huge gang of family from Wisconsin and Alaska was a high point in his life. Despite a serious head injury in childhood, Axel kept a strong sense of his individually and artistic creativity throughout his life. He persevered in his desire for education and after attending Pearl Creek Elementary and Randall Smith Middle School in Fairbanks, Alaska, he continued his schooling in Nome. He earned his GED from Kawerk Adult Basic Education Program in 2009. He took classes at UAF and UW Barron County campus near his Wisconsin family. Axel was preceded in death by his grandmother, Laurina Ryan; his uncle, Fred Ryan Jr.; and his grandparents, Lester and Lois Odden. He is survived by his parents, John Carl and Agnes Colleen Odden; and his brother, Eric Sven; grandfather, Fred Ryan Sr. of Kenai and Unalakleet, Alaska; aunts and uncles, Bryant Ryan of Unalakleet, Martha (Rod) Voshell of Anchorage, Alaska, Jim (Mary) Odden of Glennallen, Alaska, Sarah (Bob) Lundquist, Jane (David) Nickell, both of Cumberland, Wis., and Joan (Bruce) Burnstad of Canada; and many cousins. Services for Axel will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2016, at First Covenant Church, 1145 C Street in Anchorage, Alaska. Visitation will be held at 2 p.m. It is the intention of Axel's family that his ashes will be spread in the beloved and familiar places of his life. A memorial service in Nome is pending. Please visit Axel's obituary and online guestbook at www.AlaskanFuneral.com.