Roger Ralph Odell, 80, Minot, founder of Odell and Associates and IMM,
co-founder of IRET and generous Minot philanthropist died on Saturday, February 10, 2007, in a Minot hospital.

Roger was born on a farm near Ruso, ND, to Ralph and Dora (Bronsak) Odell on May 12, 1926. He graduated from Velva High School in 1943 and then joined the U.S. Navy. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1947, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration. He returned to Minot in 1947 and worked at Minot Federal Savings and Loan until he was called to active duty from 1950-1952. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Jr. Grade, and served in the U.S. Navy Reserves until 1958.

Roger married Delores Oster on November 29, 1953. They had four children, Jeff, Jim, Julie and JoAnn, and three grandchildren, Allison, Shanti and Kali.

After his active duty in the Navy, Roger worked two more years at Minot Federal and then joined the Watne Realty Company, where he found his passion working in real estate. He was with Watne Realty until 1970 when he founded Odell and Associates. This began his career in real estate investment. He founded and co-founded several additional companies, including Odell-Wentz Associates, Inland National Securities, Investors Management and Marketing, and Investors Real Estate Trust (IRET). One of Roger's proudest moments was when IRET began trading on the NASDAQ. He served professionally as President of the Minot Board of Realtors and as National Director of the North Dakota Board of Realtors.

Because of his professional success, Roger was able to share much with the community. In addition to his philanthropy, he served in many civic capacities, including Elder and Trustee of First Presbyterian Church, President of the Boy Scouts of America Great Plains Area Council, President of Minot Junior Chamber of Commerce, and member of Minot Community Chest and Minot Chamber of Commerce. He and Delores were also members of the Elks Lodge and the Minot Country Club.

Roger received numerous awards, including North Dakota Realtor of the Year, Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award, Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Minot Rotary Club, Minot Association of Builders Citizen of the Year, and GNDA Industrial Development Award.

For the past 23 years, Roger and Delores joined many of their friends from North Dakota for winters golfing and playing cards in Mesa, Arizona. In addition to golf, Roger was a great baseball fan. He attended many of the Chicago Cubs spring training games.

Roger was dedicated to his family and community. No matter where he went, he always felt there was no better place to be than Minot, ND. He will be deeply missed.

Roger is survived by his wife , Delores, and children, Jeff Odell and Michelle Miller (wife) of Minneapolis, MN; Jim Odell of Minot, ND; Julie Odell of Portland, Oregon; and JoAnn Odell of Pompano Beach, FL; granddaughters Allison Loomis; Shanti and Kali Odell.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Dora Odell, and sisters Lucille Odell and Doris McGraw.

Funeral Service: Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in First Presbyterian Church - Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Minot Area Community Foundation.