[Obituary] Evans Funeral Chapel, Anacortes, WA
Judy Karen Odegaard
Judy Karen Odegaard, age 63, of Anacortes went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on March 23, 2011 at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle only five months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She lived each day during her illness courageously, with complete grace, and total trust in the Lord. Her “life verse” from the Bible is Joshua 1:9- “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Judy was born in Valley City, North Dakota on June 8, 1947, the daughter of James LeRoy and Alice (Larson) Gyldenvand, and grew up in LaMoure, North Dakota, Willmar, Minnesota, and Grand Forks, North Dakota. After graduating from high school in Grand Forks, Judy received a degree in Business Education from Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington in 1969. Judy was married to James Humphrey in 1968. He passed away in 1974. Judy and Rod Odegaard were joined in marriage in 1976 and enjoyed 35 blessed years of loving and sharing their lives. Judy and Rod lived in Issaquah for 23 years where their three children grew up. They then moved to Danbury, Connecticut when Rod was working for Starwood Hotels & Resorts in White Plains, New York. Judy and Rod relocated to Anacortes in 2002.
Judy held a number of administrative positions over the years at Weyerhaeuser, Westin Hotels & Resorts, and Sherron Associates (real estate investments). She most enjoyed her jobs, however, the most rewarding, was being the registrar at Lutheran Bible Institute (Trinity College) in Issaquah, Washington and in secretarial roles at Westminster Presbyterian Church and Anacortes Lutheran Church both in Anacortes, Washington. These three responsibilities enabled her to utilize her organizational skills and administrative proficiency in a work environment with like-minded people of faith. She saw these opportunities as being a privilege to serve. Judy was truly a loving and selfless wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who will be dearly missed. Judy possessed the gifts of graciousness, hospitality, a joyful spirit full of laughter, and was sincerely interested in listening to others. She was truly an encouragement to all who knew her. She lived her life serving those around her unceasingly without complaint or expecting anything in return. She loved playing her piano and singing in the church choir. She also enjoyed Bible study, walking, bike-riding, gardening, traveling, baking, and creating beautiful scrapbooks and quilts, leaving many heirlooms for her children and grandchildren. Judy was preceded in death by her first husband, her parents, and two grandchildren, Hope and Rosemary.
She is survived by her faithful and loving husband, Rod of Anacortes; her son, Jeff of Anacortes; her daughter and son-in-law; Joanna and Ben Shook of Anacortes; daughter and fiancé, Julie and John Roersma of Lynnwood, Washington; and beloved grandchildren, Grace, Lillian, Soren, and Esther Jo Shook. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Sylvia Gildenvan of Anacortes; twin brother, Jack and Andrea Gyldenvand of Walker, Minnesota; and nieces and nephews, Paul, Chad, Dawn, Christy, and Ryan. Judy’s life and eternal homecoming will be celebrated at the Anacortes Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2011, with a reception to follow at the church. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands.