Judith Clare Odle gracefully and peacefully concluded her journey in the morning hours of Sept. 20, 2021.
She was born in Appleton, Wis. on Oct. 8, 1938, to Clarence and Marie Below. She was the middle child with two older sisters and two younger brothers.
She left Wisconsin at 18 years of age to marry a man in the military, spending time in Massachusetts, Germany, and Oregon. When that marriage ended, after four children, she married Larry Odle and added two more children to the family. She enjoyed flying for free with Delta Airlines through one of her sons, visiting Japan, Hawaii, Italy, Panama Canal, and many trips to Wisconsin to see her family.
Her childhood desire was to become a nun as she always felt so close to God; to have eight children (had seven); and to provide foster care to children who had to leave their homes for a while.
When reflecting on her foster parent experience, she proclaimed, “I did it.” She hosted 462 foster children over a seven-year period. She added “I am in the hearts of all of them, though no longer in their minds.”
Judith is survived by her husband of 53 years, Larry Dean Odle; Brothers, Patrick and Quentin Below; Children, Jeff (Jeannie) Odle, Dave (Debi) Odle, Pam (Tom) Fox, Dean (Michele) Odle, Elizabeth (Mike) Beach, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In honor of her wishes and her gift of hospitality, an open house will be held on Friday, Oct. 8 (her 83rd birthday), 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. This celebration of life will be hosted at their home 4820 Verda Lane NE in Keizer.
Face coverings are optional by personal preference.
Most of this obituary was written by Judith in the final two weeks of her life.
