Vicki Odland

Virginia “Vicki” Lynn Odland passed away peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, December 24, 2025, under the care of the wonderful and dedicated staff at SMP Health – Ave Maria in Jamestown, North Dakota.

Vicki was born on February 22, 1945, in Northwood, North Dakota, to Raymond and Blanche Anderson. She was raised in Northwood and graduated from Northwood High School. Vicki continued her education at North Dakota State University, where she pursued a degree in Home Economics and was active with her sorority, Kappa Delta.

Following graduation, Vicki took a grand tour of Europe with two of her college friends. When she returned, she bought herself a Ford Mustang. She began her teaching career in Stanley, North Dakota. She later accepted a home economics position with Northern States Power in Minot, North Dakota. It was there that she met a tenant in her apartment building named Leslie "Les", that was handy with car repair and offered to fix a piece of loose trim. He "accidentally" left his sunglasses in her car. She made sure she returned the sunglasses, and their courtship began. Vicki continued her passion for education while teaching at Mandan High School. On July 2, 1972, Vicki married Les Odland in Northwood, North Dakota. The couple moved and made their home in Jamestown, North Dakota.

Vicki thoroughly enjoyed teaching and dedicated her professional life to education. After assisting in several elementary schools, she accepted a position as a home economics instructor within the Jamestown School System. She remained there until her retirement, completing 29 years of service to her students and community.

Vicki was a doting wife to Les. They enjoyed downhill and cross-country skiing in Big Sky, Montana in the early years of dating and marriage. They loved spending time travelling and visiting with their lifelong college friends and their sisters and brothers in law. They enjoyed music and no matter where they were, they never missed an opportunity to dance a two-step or a waltz. She embraced Les's love of classic cars and enjoyed "top down" cruises in Vicki's sky blue, Volkswagen Beetle convertible, the "bug car". Time together at their "happy place" at the lake in Minnesota was full of fun and the source of many memories. She enjoyed coffee on the dock and a root beer in the shade, hosting family reunions there with loved ones and hours of chatting and laughing. She loved the nightly sunset across the lake and watched as if each had been the first.

Vicki was an exceptionally supportive mother to her three children. Each of them was her student in her Life Studies class while attending Jamestown Junior High School. They, like thousands of others, were taught the basics of cooking, completed the pillow kit sewing project, and learned many other general life skills. Vicki volunteered and supported Tracey's athletic participation with Area 9 Special Olympics, sewed costumes for Sara's figure skating and dance teams and was always in the stands supporting Michael at his sporting events and activities. Vicki was a working mother and wife and had a home cooked meal prepared each night for her family to share. She packed nutritious lunches for her kids that always had an unexpected treat or smiley face somehow incorporated to let them know how much they were loved. She had a knack for baking birthday cakes that were equally as special.

Vicki was an excellent seamstress and made many ties, dresses and suits for herself, friends and daughters. Her sewing talents were meticulous. Following her retirement, she started repurposing wool sweaters and sewed hundreds of pairs of mittens that she gave away to friends and family. Every pair was unique and had a special adornment, button, blanket stitch or knitted cuff depending on the recipient. Vicki made a significant contribution to Trinity Lutheran Church as a friend to many of the parishioners, a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher and member of the choir as she loved to sing. In the earlier years Vicki enjoyed playing golf with her friends from church. Vicki was a member of book club and the Wednesday Women Walkers "WWW" group which was made up of many of her retired teacher friends. They walked, talked, and patronized local restaurants for continued fellowship every Wednesday since 2012. Vicki loved being a grandmother and was known to her grandchildren as "Grandma Vicki". When visiting, she and Les enjoyed taking the kids on special play date dinner dates at McDonald's. She enjoyed crafting and making cookie dough, baking, and decorating cookies with the kids. She taught Molly how to sew. She loved playing games, dancing, singing, and loved having the kids visit the lake.

Vicki is survived by her husband, Leslie “Les” Odland; her three children: daughter Sara (Terry) Beyna of Arlington Heights, Illinois, and their children, Molly and Tanner; daughter Tracey of Jamestown, North Dakota; and son Michael (Karina) Odland of West Fargo, North Dakota, and their children, Olivia and Benjamin. She is also survived by her sisters, Karyn, Nancy, and Merrie Jo, along with many cousins.

Vicki was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Blanche Anderson; her parents-in-law, Lawrence and Alice Odland; and her brother-in-law, Loren Odland.

A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jamestown, North Dakota, on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon at the church will follow the service.

Vicki will be remembered for her dedication to education, her love of family, and the lasting impact she made on the many lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Jamestown, ND.