Lois Jurene Odell, 82, died Friday, April 2, 2021 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff.
She was born in Bridgeport, Nebraska May 31, 1938 to Alexander and Rosena L. (Langhofer) Meter, Jr. She was baptized as an infant August 7, 1938. She attended rural school in Bayard. The family moved to the farm east of Alliance. She graduated from Alliance High in 1955 at nearly 17 years old.
Jurene married Donald Wayne Odell on June 24, 1956 at the First Presbyterian Church in Alliance. They had three children. At the time of their marriage in 1956, she worked as a bookkeeper at DeBolt Implement Co. and Don was an employee of Panhandle Rural Electric. He then was an E-5 in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958, serving in Budingen, Germany for most of that time, where she lived with him. She sold AVON for many years, enabling her to be home and raise her children. Jurene was extremely creative and loved building projects. She and Don built their home themselves in 1962, using the blueprint design she created. Her passion for her home was her beautiful yard and flower gardens. She enjoyed the visits and coffee time with her close friends and neighbors. Up until she moved to Highland Park Assisted Living, you could find her out in a lawn chair pulling weeds. She built from wood a child’s life-like kitchen set for Vicki, which is still played with and enjoyed by her great grandkids. Jurene and Don built wooden barns for each of their kids’ families to enjoy. She created out of ply-wood, “Santa’s Workshop” - cut out and painted life size figures of Santa, a snowman, a deer, and a bunch of busy elves preparing for Christmas. Brian and his family enjoyed putting them up in North Platte, and Vicki had them at the ranch. This last Christmas she got to enjoy them outside of her window at Highland Park Assisted Living. She lived at Highland Park for 1 year, 9 months; and that was her home, cherishing her love of friends and staff and the good food. She was happy and kept busy with activities, developing her love again for painting landscapes on canvas or shingles and barns on rocks. Her paintings were inspired partly from the joy of watching birds outside her window. Our job was to keep the feeders full so she and everyone inside could enjoy them.
Jurene loved family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She and Don followed their kids and grandkids in whatever activities they were involved in. Camping, fishing, following Brian in boxing, Vicki and Jason in band, many, many years at the baseball fields, following all sports the kids and grandkids were involved in. One of her favorite things she loved talking about were the trips to the Bridgeport Pits; enjoying watching her great grandkids. She loved her trips to North Platte, keeping busy with making salsa and having fun. Fun time for all the years included a good game of cards with everyone.
She raised her family strict, but with good and Godly morals.
Jurene is survived by her children, Vicki (Don) Freiberger of Alliance, Brian (Peggy) Odell of North Platte, and Jason (Bette) Odell of Alliance; her grandchildren and their families, Justin (Allie) Freiberger (Kimber, Teagan, Jensen); Josh (Josie) Freiberger (Cadence, Logan, Rachel, Jack); Joe Odell; Tim (Amanda) Odell (Caleb, Isaiah, Lydia); Cody (Jenna) Odell (Kalieb and a baby girl on the way); Michael and Derek Odell. She is also survived by her brother, Ron (Ruthe) Meter of Alliance; her brother-in-law, Don Speer of Manteca, CA; sisters-in-law, Jean Meter of Bismarck, ND and Betty Brammer of Morrison, CO; her uncle, Reiny Meter of Bayard, NE; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Odell; her parents, Alexander and Rosena Meter, Jr.; Don’s parents, Oscar and Mary Odell; her sister, Lorna Speer; her brother, Bob Meter; sister-in-law, Kukee Meter; and brother-in-law Elmer Brammer.
Memorial services will be held Monday, April 19, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Pastor Bob Gump will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance.
Memorials may be given to the Highland Park Assisted Living or a charity of the donor’s choice.