Odella Henley of Valley City, ND, died April 6, 2022, at the age of 91. Born on February 10, 1931, in Leeds, ND, she was the second oldest of ten children born to Clarence and Gunda (Rodlund) Johnson. She was raised and educated in Leeds, and then attended Minot State College. After two years, she moved to Devils Lake, and worked at Ottertail Power Company.
On July 2, 1955, Odella married Charles Henley. They moved to Gambier, OH, where Charles attended Seminary. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1958 and they moved to Grafton, ND, and then to Fargo, ND. Odella and Charles moved to Valley City, ND in December 1963, when Charles was appointed Rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church.
Odella worked for many years at Trapp Professional Insurance. She volunteered at the Barnes County Museum and was a member of the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed gardening, reading, swimming, tennis, and racquetball. Odella loved spending time with family, friends who were like family, and keeping in touch with loved ones around the country.
Odella is survived by her daughter, Deborah Larson; two granddaughters, Nicole (Michael) Nelson and Ashley (Henry) Jung; nine great-grandchildren, Isabelle Henley, Samuel Grote, Sydney, Star, Sky, Sara, and Seth Nelson, and Adelle and Charlize Jung; siblings, Doris Odegaard, Ruth (James) Maher, Richard Hanson, Shirley Farland, and Betty Allen; brother-in-law, James McChesney; and many nieces and nephews.
Odella was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; parents, Clarence and Gunda; son, David; grandson, Richard; son-in-law, Kirk; and siblings, Lester, Marilyn, Curtis, and Gerald.
The memorial service for Odella Henley will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 23, 2022 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Valley City. Visitation will be the hour prior to the service. She will be laid to rest with Charles at Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral in Fargo, ND. The service will be livestreamed then archived along with her obituary on her tribute page at
www.lerudmathias.com
www.lerudmathias.com
Odella’s family suggests memorials to the Barnes County Museum, Mercy Hospital Auxiliary, or
a charity of choice.
a charity of choice.
Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting the family with arrangements. An online guestbook and tribute page is available at lerudmathias.com