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Gerald Gerry Odegaard
June 26, 1937 - November 28, 2010
Tribute
Odegaard, Gerald Allan passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on November 28, 2010. Gerry fought a courageous 8 month battle with Soft Tissue Sarcoma Cancer and never was a complaint heard. He often said “We do the best we can!” Born on June 26, 1937 at Nurse Lidstrom’s home in Canwood, Saskatchewan. Predeceased by his parents Ervin and Emma Odegaard, he is lovingly remembered by his wife Mary nee (Thiessen) of 54 years, daughter’s Leanne Page (Rick Harrison), Lana (Dave) Cech, Keli (Kelly) Sinclair, Kim (John) Hoffmann, 9 grandchildren Erik, Natasha, heather, Krista, Melissa, Kirsten, Tyler, Brandon and Megan, 4 great grandsons, brother Lance (Sharon) Odegaard and Lance’s children Brad (Susy) Odegaard, Carmen (Keith) Hall, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and his special four legged companion “Buddy”.
As a boy, Gerry worked at his parent’s store, Nestledown General and moved to British Columbia in 1956 where he worked for Hudson’s Hardware and Safeway as Produce Manager. In 1966 Gerald moved to Shawnigan Lake where he and Mary bought and operated Aitken and Fraser General Store, AKA Gerry’s from June 1966 to January 2000. A family business employed all 4 daughters at one time and a son-in-law, Dave. Gerry always said the store couldn’t have run without all the wonderful staff that worked with him over the years and always made time to enjoy a visit with the customers. The store even made it to the big screen in a scene from the movie “Lake Placid”. Mary and Gerry sold the store and retired in 2000 although one of his daughters Lana, continues working there. Together they enjoyed many winters at their favourite hot spot, Waikiki. Gerry volunteered with the Shawnigan Lake Fire Hall for 13 years and also enjoyed playing hockey (guess he’s always been a fighter since he seemed to spend a lot of time in the penalty box), baseball, curling, gardening and gazing out over the lake. Gerry also looked forward to his luncheon visits with little brother Lance.
Many thanks to Vancouver General Hospital nurses for their special care, the Cancer Clinic radiation staff, Cowichan District Hospital, Mike Wright from BC Ambulance, The Oswego Hotel’s caring staff and many of our extended family and friends! Thanks to Harold Wallace for all of his guidance through this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers donations can be designated to “Soft Tissue Sarcoma Cancer” Canadian Cancer Society 565 West 10th Ave. Vancouver, BC V5Z 4J4. A celebration of life will be held at Shawnigan Lake Community Center 2804 Shawnigan Lake Road Shawnigan Lake, BC on Friday December 10, 2010 at1:00 p.m. Please bring your stories to share – spoken or written!
Condolences
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From: H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre Staff
H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre Staff send our condolences to family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
From: Irene and Tony Gunton
Relation: Friends and Neighbors
Mary Please accept our most sincere condolence at the loss of your husband ‘Gerry’, Both irene and myself and all our family know the heartbreak that you are feeling at this time,the sense of loss is overwhelming . Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Irene and Tony Gunton and Family
From: Irene and Tony Gunton
Relation: Friends and Neighbors
Mary Please accept our most sincere condolence at the loss of your husband ‘Gerry’, Both irene and myself and all our family know the heartbreak that you are feeling at this time,the sense of loss is overwhelming . Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Irene and Tony Gunton and Family
From: Kim ( Urbaniak ) Riggs
Relation: A lucky employee
12 years later and I still talk about “this really Great Boss I had”. You will be greatly missed Gerry, by me and I am sure the whole community of Shawnigan Lake that was fortunite to have had you as there corrner store owner.
You were so kind, careing and generouse. I know you really did care about your community as no matter what you were always there for us all even in the winter of 96, amazing!
Good by Gerry, you were one of a kind Kim
From: Jan Felix
Relation: shopped in his store for many years
Dear Mary and family.
Chuck and i send our thoughts and prayers to you all at this time of loss. Gerry was one of a kind. A loving, caring and gentle person. He will be missed by many.
From: bill minnick
Relation: waikiki
good-bye my friend
From: Lono Zane and Michelle Manna
Relation: Friends from Sand Bar in Waikiki
To Mary and all of the rest of Gerry’s family, we send our sincere condolences and will miss seeing him in Waikiki.
From: Margaret and Bob Hosie
Relation: thru the store
We were summer residentsat the lake. Gerry was a good friend thru the store, answering questions re workmen and services. He always had time to chat and took an interest in our family. Gerry was genuine and sincere and we missed him when he retired.The world needs more Gerry Odegaard’s. He certainly made a difference, in our world.
From: Sheryl McMahon nee (Stockand)
Relation: friend of kim and Kellys in school.
Mrs. Odegaard, Kim, Kelly, Lana, and Leanne Im so sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts are with, take care of each and love life. Sheryl McMahon.
From: The Tony and Didi Family
Relation: Shawnigan Lake 'Community'
Dearest Odegaard Family, Your family ‘makes a difference’ in SO MANY people’s lives. You’ve lost a huge part of yourselves, and we are especially glad that you live by the ‘We do the best we can’ motto of Gerry’s. With your Creator’s help, and with the love of your family and friends, may the wonderful memories ‘see you through’ .
MANY of our best memories of the 70’s and 80’s, include ‘Gerry’s. Know that we are thinking of you, in prayer, especially at this time…
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
Date & Time:
December 10, 2010
Beginning at 1:00pm
Location:
Shawnigan Lake Community Centre
2804 Shawnigan Lake Road
Shawnigan Lake, BC Canada V0R 2P2
2804 Shawnigan Lake Road
Shawnigan Lake, BC Canada V0R 2P2
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
Thank You Notice
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