Joseph L. "Joe" O'Donnell

1957 - 2023

Joseph "Joe" L. O'Donnell

April 15, 1957 - Oct. 11, 2023

TWIN FALLS - Joseph "Joe" L. O'Donnell passed away at age 66 on October 11, 2023. He was born on April 15, 1957 to Hal and Lola (Overton) O'Donnell, the youngest of four children.

Joe grew up in Elko, Nevada, graduating from Elko High School in 1975. He lettered all four years of high school in wrestling and was very active in the FFA, achieving the highest FFA award, American Farmer, and was the Nevada State President in 1975-76.

Joe attended the College of Southern Idaho, majoring in Ag Science. After college, he made his home in Twin Falls, Idaho and married the absolute love of his life Donell Anderson on June 3, 1978. They were blessed with two children, Aidan in 1983 and Meaghan in 1986.

Joe had several jobs over the years, his favorite was placing Foreign Exchange Students for the WYSE Foundation where he impacted countless families.

He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren in all their various sports and school programs.

The family attended the Lutheran church in Kimberly for several years, where Joe was very active in the youth ministry and leadership. It was here that he came to know Christ on a personal level and spent the rest of his years praising Him despite all the many trials he would experience. More recently he attended The Church in Twin Falls.

Joe has struggled with health issues for a number of years, but he was always positive and had a smile and a Thank You for everyone who stopped by to visit or care for him. Special thanks to St. Lukes Hospice. Words cannot express the gratitude of Aidan and Meaghan to their mom for so selflessly caring for Joe, allowing him to stay at home throughout all the years of health struggles. She has always been his favorite person.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Hal and Lola O'Donnell, his older brother L.E. "Butch" O'Donnell, and a much-loved nephew, Colin O'Donnell. He is survived by his wife, Donell, his son and daughter-in-law Aidan and Kristin O'Donnell, and their children: Caden, Cal and Cuyler and his daughter, Meaghan Tucker and her children: Zayd and Hallee; his sister, Ora (Tom) Enos and brother, Robert, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 28, 2023 at 4:00 pm at Valley Christian Church, 1708 E. Heyburn Ave., Twin Falls, Idaho. Cremation was performed by Serenity Funeral Chapel of Twin Falls. Joe's ashes will be scattered in his favorite place on earth - the Ruby Mountains.