Glen O. Odman, 91, of Cambridge, Minnesota, formerly of Washington passed away on Monday, December 26, 2005, at the Grandview Christian Home.

He was born October 22, 1914, in Beach, North Dakota, the son of Oscar and Amelia (Johnson) Odman - pioneers and homesteaders in Western North Dakota. The family, with six children, returned to Princeton, Minn., (the original home of his father) in 1918 because of his mother’s illness. While living in Minnesota, Glen attended both Pinebrook and Karmel country schools west of Cambridge.

Upon his father’s death in 1927, his mother, now with seven children, returned to the North Dakota homestead. In 1933 Glen graduated from Beach High School. That same summer he worked with the CCC building dams over dry creek beds in northern North Dakota using wheelbarrows and shovels.

He graduated from Jamestown College, North Dakota, in 1937, after which he joined his family in Selah, Washington. After graduate studies at the University of Washington, he began his teaching career in English, Latin, speech and drama at Selah High School. He served as principal at the school from 1948 to1958.

In 1942 he joined the infantry. His regiment, the 334th, was assigned to every major battle in Europe during World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge and the meeting of the Russians on the Elbe River in Germany. He was awarded the combat Bronze Star. During the time of occupation in Germany, he was chosen from his division to attend the Academy of Speech and Fine Arts at Royal Albert Hall in London - which he felt was a great privilege. During his career he was recognized as an able and effective speaker.

On January 6, 1944, Glen married Jean Mead of Yakima. Upon his return home from WWII, he was introduced to his first son, who was one year old at the time. They had three more children, who were the joy of their married life. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.

In 1958, Glen accepted a position with the Highline School District. He opened Mt. Rainier High School in Des Moines as its first principal, and in 1966 was transferred as principal at Highline High School in Burien, from which he retired from public education in 1974. He then served as an assistant professor in the Education Department at Seattle Pacific University until his retirement in 1979.

During his career he was an active community member, being involved in Rotary and Toastmasters. He was also a devoted member in the Covenant Church, actively serving over the years in various leadership roles, most notably teaching and working with men’s and camping ministries. Since relocating to Minnesota with his wife in 1998 to be near their daughters, Glen participated in the adult Sunday school at First Baptist Church in Cambridge, volunteered at Shalom, loved gardening, woodworking, traveling, his many friends - new and old - and walking 18 holes at the Purple Hawk golf course.

Glen suffered a stroke in July 2004 and was cared for at Grandview Christian Home in Cambridge, where his positive attitude and laughter won him many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, of Cambridge, Minn.; sons Dennis (Sharon) Odman of West Linn, Ore., and Ronald (Janice) Odman of Buckley; daughters Julie (Lee) Olson of Princeton, Minn., and Pam (Doug) McFarland of Cambridge, Minn., 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Dell (Helen) Odman of Puyallup and his sister-in-law Majil Wilson of Lancaster, Pa., and many cousins and friends.

Glen was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and in-laws - Arnold (Ida) of Walla Walla, Irving (Bessie) of Yakima, Ralph of Philadelphia, Pa., and Joy Odman of Puyallup; two sisters and in-laws Evelyn (Ed) Nelson of Seattle and Doris (Art) Froderberg, both of Seattle; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service was held January 4, 2006, at First Baptist Church in Cambridge, Minn., with Rev. Earl Lassen officiating. Pallbearers were Doug McFarland, Lee Olson, Ryan McFarland Tim Olson, Matt Odman and Austin Odman. Burial was in the Karmel Covenant Cemetery.

Arrangements were with the Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home in Cambridge.