Loren Odens, 50, of Springfield
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield, followed by burial in the Emmanuel Cemetery, rural Springfield.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 12, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home, Springfield, SD. A Prayer service will follow at 7:00 p.m. at the Emmanuel Reformed Church, Springfield, SD.
Loren Douglas Odens, son of Burnell and Georgianna (DeRoos) Odens, was born February 24, 1957 in Yankton, SD. He died unexpectedly Friday, November 9, 2007 at Avera St. Michael's Hospital in Tyndall, SD. Loren attained the age of 50 years, eight months and 14 days.
Loren attended Equal Rights Country School through the sixth grade and then Springfield Public School. He graduated from Springfield High School and attended USD/S for two years, receiving his Associates Degree in Diesel Mechanics and Parts Management. Following graduation, Loren worked at Scott Supply in Mitchell for nine years.
Loren married Donna Jo Zweber on May 30, 1981 at the First Reformed Church in Mitchell, SD. Four children were born to their union. Loren and his family returned to Springfield in 1987, when he took over operations for the family farm. Donna Jo died unexpectedly on November 14, 2006.
Loren made confession of faith at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield on July 11, 1977. While living in Mitchell, he was a member of the First Reformed Church for nine years. Loren later transferred back to the Emmanuel Reformed Church, where he served as an elder and deacon. He was a former church choir member, and for years arranged for special music at the church. Loren also was a member of the Bon Homme County Easter Cantata and the Bon Homme County Sunday School Association. He was most recently involved in a bible study with the Watertown First Baptist Church family.
As an outgoing and spirited individual with a fondness for social interaction, Loren will be remembered for visiting and enjoying spending quality time with old and cherished friends, as well as meeting and conversing with new people. He was a caring and compassionate husband and devoted father, and loved every moment he spent with his family. Loren and his wife, Donna, loved attending their children's sporting, choral and band events, and was perhaps their biggest cheerleader. He treasured his children and was so proud of their accomplishments, striving to assist them to become their very best.
Thankful for having shared his life are his children: Lynn of Omaha, NE; Brian of Brookings; Jill of Wayne, NE; and Laura of Lincoln, NE; his father, Burnell of Springfield; brother, Bruce and wife, Nola, and their children, Adam and Samantha, of Roseville, CA; father-in-law, Willard Zweber of Hoven; his brother-in-law Frank Zweber and wife, Carol of Hoven; sister-in-law Shirley Brown and husband, Tim and their family of Rio Rancho, NM; and a host of relatives and friends.
Loren was preceded in death by his infant sister, Renae; his mother-in-law, JoAnn Zweber; his mother, Georgianna; and his wife, Donna.