Dr. Russell Odegard, 96, longtime Minot physician, died Saturday, December 1, 2018, in a Minot healthcare facility.

Russell was born on January 12, 1922 in Hamar, ND to Ruppert and Anne (McArthur) Odegard. He received his elementary education in a country school setting near Hamar and completed his high school education as a graduate of the Hamar High School in 1939. Russell continued his education at North Dakota State University in Fargo, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 1943. Russell moved to East Pittsburgh, PA and was employed at Westinghouse, Inc.

Russell married Harriet Thompson on July 29, 1944 in Pittsburgh. They remained in Pennsylvania until 1945 and then moved to Fargo, ND. Russell was employed as a foreman for the ND Department of Transportation and also taught engineering classes at NDSU in 1947.

The family moved to Velva in 1947 when he established Odegard Electric.  He operated that business until returning to school at NDSU in 1953 for his pre-med classes. Dr. Odegard attended the University of North Dakota from 1955-57 and earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas in 1959. He completed his internship at the St. John's Hospital in Fargo.

After completing his internship in Fargo, Dr. Odegard moved to Hatton, ND and established a medical practice that he operated from 1960-63.  He moved to Minot in 1963 and joined Dr. Devine, at Great Plains Clinic in Minot, from 1963-67.  He practiced medicine at the Medical Arts Clinic from January of 1968 until his retirement in July of 1987. Harriet died on February 16, 2002.

Dr. Odegard was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and former member of Bethany Lutheran Church both in Minot.   He was the 3 ^rd District Republicans Chairman for eight years and was Chairman of the Citizens NonPartisan Coalition (CNPC) in 1989. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and a former member of the Eagles Aerie and Elks Lodge, all of Minot. Dr. Odegard was a member of the American Medical Association, 3 ^rd District Medical Society and the ND Medical Association, serving on its council for six years.  He was Chief of Staff at St. Joseph's Hospital for two years and served on the Board of Directors of Blue Shield for 9 years. He served as Chairman of the Protect Our Privacy Group in 2001, was Chairman of the Utilization Review Committee and was a Past President of the ND Bowling Association.

Dr. Odegard's hobbies included bowling, playing cards, and politics. One of his favorite things to do was to visit with people – those he knew and those he wanted to get to know.   His favorite times were those spent with his grandchildren.

Dr. Odegard is survived by his children: Diana Staskywicz of Burlington, Patricia (David) Fedje, of Fargo, Richard (Diane) Odegard of Grand Forks, Michael Odegard of Minot and Mary Eriksmoen of Bismarck; daughter-in-law, Gail Odegard of Albuquerque; thirteen grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; brother: Glenn (Mary Ellen) Odegard of Tucson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dr. Odegard was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Harriet, son: William, son-in-law: John Staskywicz, grandsons: Aaron Odegard and Paul Staskywicz and brothers: Wayne, Darold and Neal Odegard.

Celebration of the Life of Dr. Russell Odegard will be on Friday, December 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. in Christ Lutheran Church - Minot.

Interment will be at Rosehill Memorial Park at a later date.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials are preferred to Trinity Hospice.

Odegard Flower Pictures