Odell "Dell" BARDUSON

1921 - 2016

Age 95, of Hastings Passed away October 17, 2016 Needing a fourth player, Odell was called up by Jesus to make a foursome with Arnold Palmer, Bobby Jones, and Ben Hogan. When informed of the call up, Dell remarked that it would be an eternity before Jack Nicklaus would join the group. Dell was a smiling, caring person who was devoted to his family. People would say he was the nicest person they had ever met. He was born August 8, 1921 on a farm near Milan to Hattie and Thideman Barduson. He started 1st grade not knowing a word of English. He graduated from Appleton High School where he was active in all sports. He played football and baseball at Concordia College and switched to the University of MN where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and graduated with a degree in agricultural education. He went on to receive his Masters at the U of M. He enlisted in the Navy, serving 3 years as the Executive Officer in the South Pacific on a destroyer escort. He started teaching in Olivia where he met his wife, Barbara Lowe. They married on June 19, 1948 and enjoyed 68 years of wedded bliss and had 4 children, Scott (Gail) Barduson, Jan (Sam) Tripp, Jill (Dave) Curry, and Steve (Maggie) Barduson. He also taught in St. James prior to being employed by the State Department of Education in Adult Farm Management. He served as President of MN Ag Teachers, received his American Farmers Degree, and was a Supervisor at the MN State Fair where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Dell was the Commander of the Legion Post in Olivia, and an Officer of the Rotary Club. After his retirement, he was a co-founder of the RAM's and the 550 Club, and was a WCCO Good Neighbor. Dell taught Bethel Bible Series and was a Church Council Member at Our Saviour's Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was an avid Gopher, and MN sports fan, having had season tickets to the Gophers since 1947! Dell also loved to golf and enjoyed his membership at the Country Clubs in Hastings and Fountain of the Sun in Mesa Arizona where they have a second home. Dell was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Harry. He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; his four children; his grandchildren, Andrew Barduson, Beth (Josh) Janzen, Thor (Kali) Tripp, Josh (Alessandra) Tripp, Paul (Leann) Barduson, Jonathon Curry, Nadia (Trevor) Scott, Erik Curry, Natalie Barduson, Nathanael Barduson, Lucas Barduson, Annika Barduson; 3 great grandchildren; brother, Robert; and sister, Marie Welker. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday (11/27) at 3:00 PM at Our Saviour's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 400 W. 9th St. in Hastings. A gathering of family and friends will take place two hours prior to the service at church. Interment will be later at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. The Wise Family Funeral Home is serving the family. Visit wisefamilyfh.com to sign the online tribute page and view the memorial video.