Visitation will be held from noon to 4 p.m. MST today at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, will continue from 5 to 9 p.m. MST at The Assumption Abbey, Richardton, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. MST.
The Rev. John (James) Odermann was born in Raub on June 2, 1928, to Henry and Regina (Landwehr) Odermann. He was born into a family of five girls and three boys. He received his elementary education at Elbowoods. He came to school at Assumption Abbey in September 1946 and entered the novitiate on June 21, 1949. He made his monastic vows on July 11, 1950. After completing college at St. Martin's Abbey, Lacey, Wash., he continued his seminary studies at the Abbey and was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1955.
After his ordination, he was appointed assistant infirmarian and other tasks. The following year, on Aug. 25, 1956, he was appointed assistant pastor to St. Anthony's Indian Mission, Mandaree. On Aug. 9, 1960, he was assigned as assistant pastor to St. Joseph's Church, Devils Lake. Assumption Abbey started a daughter house in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1960. The Rev. John volunteered to go there and left on July 10, 1965. In 1968, he returned and worked again in Devils Lake. Since that State School for the Deaf was in Devils Lake, the Rev. John took special interest in teaching the faith to the Catholic students there. From 1971 to 1978, he was pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Glen Ullin. He returned to the Abbey and was appointed to minister to St. Joseph's Church, Twin Buttes. He was also appointed director of Oblates. In 1979, he added work in the woodcrafts department to his activities. On July 1, 1980, he was appointed pastor of St. Thomas Church, Gladstone, with its mission of St. Philip's, Hirschville. He continued to work in woodcrafts. He participated in the theological renewal program at Sant' Anslemo, Rome, from January to May 1983. In June 1983, he began to work full time at the Abbey in retreat and woodcrafts work. From March 1, 1984, to July 31, 1986, he was chaplain to St. Vincent's Care Center, Bismarck. His last assignment, Sept. 1, 1987, to Jan. 30, 2008, was as chaplain to the Presentation Sisters in Valley City.
His work in woodcrafts blossomed while he was with the Presentation Sisters. He made crucifixes by the hundreds and into the thousands. He managed to sell them in many parts of the country through good friends. He had very good friends in many places to whom he was spiritual mentor. He wrote a book of meditations on the Stations of the Cross. His last project was book of meditations on many topics. A second volume will be published posthumously. The Rev. John was a deep spiritual person and became involved in a spiritual healing ministry team after his retirement from Valley City.
The Rev. John is survived by two brothers, Harold (Helen) Odermann, Dickinson, and Lloyd Odermann, Billings, Mont.; and four sisters, Phyllis Odermann, Teresa Weinand and Joan Odermann, all from Dickinson, and Cecile (Alfred Volesky), Helena, Mont.; and a sister-in-law, Katherine Odermann, Billings.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Doris Stevenson.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome
Visitation will be held from noon to 4 p.m. MST today at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, will continue from 5 to 9 p.m. MST at The Assumption Abbey, Richardton, with a vigil service at 7 p.m. MST.
The Rev. John (James) Odermann was born in Raub on June 2, 1928, to Henry and Regina (Landwehr) Odermann. He was born into a family of five girls and three boys. He received his elementary education at Elbowoods. He came to school at Assumption Abbey in September 1946 and entered the novitiate on June 21, 1949. He made his monastic vows on July 11, 1950. After completing college at St. Martin's Abbey, Lacey, Wash., he continued his seminary studies at the Abbey and was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1955.
After his ordination, he was appointed assistant infirmarian and other tasks. The following year, on Aug. 25, 1956, he was appointed assistant pastor to St. Anthony's Indian Mission, Mandaree. On Aug. 9, 1960, he was assigned as assistant pastor to St. Joseph's Church, Devils Lake. Assumption Abbey started a daughter house in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1960. The Rev. John volunteered to go there and left on July 10, 1965. In 1968, he returned and worked again in Devils Lake. Since that State School for the Deaf was in Devils Lake, the Rev. John took special interest in teaching the faith to the Catholic students there. From 1971 to 1978, he was pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Glen Ullin. He returned to the Abbey and was appointed to minister to St. Joseph's Church, Twin Buttes. He was also appointed director of Oblates. In 1979, he added work in the woodcrafts department to his activities. On July 1, 1980, he was appointed pastor of St. Thomas Church, Gladstone, with its mission of St. Philip's, Hirschville. He continued to work in woodcrafts. He participated in the theological renewal program at Sant' Anslemo, Rome, from January to May 1983. In June 1983, he began to work full time at the Abbey in retreat and woodcrafts work. From March 1, 1984, to July 31, 1986, he was chaplain to St. Vincent's Care Center, Bismarck. His last assignment, Sept. 1, 1987, to Jan. 30, 2008, was as chaplain to the Presentation Sisters in Valley City.
His work in woodcrafts blossomed while he was with the Presentation Sisters. He made crucifixes by the hundreds and into the thousands. He managed to sell them in many parts of the country through good friends. He had very good friends in many places to whom he was spiritual mentor. He wrote a book of meditations on the Stations of the Cross. His last project was book of meditations on many topics. A second volume will be published posthumously. The Rev. John was a deep spiritual person and became involved in a spiritual healing ministry team after his retirement from Valley City.
The Rev. John is survived by two brothers, Harold (Helen) Odermann, Dickinson, and Lloyd Odermann, Billings, Mont.; and four sisters, Phyllis Odermann, Teresa Weinand and Joan Odermann, all from Dickinson, and Cecile (Alfred Volesky), Helena, Mont.; and a sister-in-law, Katherine Odermann, Billings.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Doris Stevenson.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome
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