Gail Oden

On the evening of September 20, 2025, Mrs. Gail Oden passed peacefully in her sleep at the Landings of Prescott Valley, Arizona. She was just a few weeks shy of her 87th birthday. Up to the very end, Gail maintained an abiding and unflinching love for her family and friends that she manifested in service and was the hallmark in the life of this graceful daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. Gail was born in Binghampton, New York to Aurther and Helen Monell. She was the second of four children and was strongly connected to her family. The Monell clan lived with passion and devotion to one another and to the world in which they walked. Gail evidenced this passion in her own mission to South America and in her careers as a teacher and as a medical technician. She met another missionary who had served in South America, Dr. Lynn Oden, and quickly convinced him that they should marry and form a family. Their service continued in the raising of two sons and dedication to improving the world in which they raised them. They travelled across the nation and overseas to Asia in their efforts to bring light to the world and serve as examples to the young men they were launching into that world. A lone woman in this sea of raging testosterone, she remained the iron spine in their ongoing service to others. She cared for them all, all those they brought home, and all those she found in the world in need. She loved and she served. In later years she delighted in the service of her husband and sons and in the joy of grandchildren, many of whom quickly outgrew her in stature, but never in heart. She is preceded in death by her parents, her older sister, Marlene, and younger brother, Richard. She is survived and cherished by her husband, Lynn, her sister Rita Byers, sons Lance (and wife Remi) and Leif (and wife Amara), and a plethora of grandchildren whom she adored. The memorial event will be held on Saturday, October 18th at Windsong Retirement Villas. 3386 North Windsong Drive, Prescott Valley, Arizona 86314 at 2:00pm. All are invited. Love, Lynn Oden