Carol O'Dell

Carol Collette O’Dell, 79, of Livingston, Montana passed away Thursday, July 25th, 2024, at Livingston Health and Rehabilitation Center.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of life will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday September 28th, 2024, at the Big Timber Lutheran Church (115W 4th Ave) with Pastor Julia Seymore and Ret. Pastor Peggy Paugh Leuzinger officiating. A reception will follow, with graveside committal at Mountain View Cemetery, Big Timer. Memorials are preferred to Christikon, 1108 24th St. W, Billings, MT 59102.

Carol was born on August 9th, 1944, in Billings, Montana to Howard Hanson and Nora (Elder) Hanson. Carol grew up on the Hanson Ranch east of Melville Montana. Carol received her education in Sweet Grass County, graduating from Sweet Grass County High School in 1962 before attending Cosmetology School from 1962 – 1963 in Billings Montana.

On September 1, 1963, Carol was united in marriage to Lyle Kenneth “Kenny” O’Dell at Big Timber Lutheran Church. They lived on the Peterson place west of the fairgrounds in Big Timber raising lambs, sheep, cattle and chickens. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, James Kenneth “Jim” O’Dell, born in 1966 and Jay Lee O’Dell born in 1968. Carol and Kenny were married for 53 years before he passed away in 2017.

In 1969, Carol, Jim and Jay followed Kenny to Hawaii where he was working a job as a core driller. In 1970 the family moved back to the “Main Land” and settled in Livingston MT, where Carol went to work as a hair stylist. Carol spent 46+ years working in beauty salons as an employee, independent contractor and salon owner. (Wanda’s, Windy City Salon, Sunshine).

 Carol claimed she was the first Punk Rocker in Livingston Montana when she dyed her hair, Pink. Throughout the years she was every color under the rainbow and maybe some no one had thought up yet. The one color she never did was Green; she said too many people get green hair by accident, so no green for her.

 Carol was a working mom who still found time to support her kids in all their activities. Whether it was sports, 4-H, FFA, or Son’s of Norway she was always there to support them.

 Carol was active in the Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway, Livingston Dance Club, Loaves and Fishes, cosmetology organizations, and the Red Hat Society.

 Carol loved Kenny and the boys, but nothing could light up her face like seeing her grandkids, Kimberly, Kylee and Lyle.

 Carol is survived by her: sons, James Kenneth "Jim" O’Dell of Pine Bush, NY and Jay Lee O’Dell and his wife, Stephanie of Livingston; grandchildren, Kimberly Dennison, Kylee Dennison, and Lyle Alan O’Dell; sibling, Kenny Hanson and his wife Kathy; nephew Ky Hanson and his wife Nichole, great nephew Torsten, niece Kari Hanson, Cousin Sonia Stodden “who was like a sister to her” and her husband Phil, and brother-in-law Ernest O’Dell of Helena; nieces and nephews, Cindy, Sandy, John and Christy; cousins and other relatives and friends. Carol is preceded in death by her husband Kenny and her parents, Howard and Nora Hanson, Sister-in-Law Lois Tinsley, and cousin Steve Hanson.

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