Violet O’Dea, 93

Published 10:47 am Friday, January 23, 2015

Violet O’Dea, 93, of Montevideo died Monday, Jan. 19, at Home Front in Montevideo.

O’Dea

Violet O’Dea was a long time resident of Austin, Minnesota. Violet Ileen Sperry O’Dea was born Aug. 20, 1921, in Fayette County, Jefferson Township, Iowa, the daughter of Francis Ray and Nora Hanna (Staff) Sperry. She graduated from Oelwein High School and went on to get a two-year teaching degree. At her first teaching job she met her husband William G. O’Dea. They were married Aug. 17, 1946, until his death 16 years later. They had four children: Michael, Thomas, John and Alice.

Voilet went on to get her four-year teaching degree and master’s degree in education at Mankato State. Voilet was a teacher for the Austin school system for 23 years, teaching grades first through eighth grade during her career. She retired 1987. Voilet always loved doing projects and made many quilts, tablecloths, needlepoint and sweaters. She spent time with family traveling, but especially remembers camping with son Tom and grandchildren. She loved playing cards and belonged to a bridge club for many years. She always kept many plants in her house so even in winter she was surrounded by green plants.

Voilet is survived by children: Michael O’Dea, Spokane, Washington, Thomas O’ Dea, St Paul, Minnesota, John O’Dea, Montevideo, Minnesota, and Alice Mohn and husband Daniel Mohn; grandchildren: Catherine Mohn, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Alec Mohn, Mankato, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sisters: Nora Frances Handel, Mamie Alice Nading, Iola Burns; and brothers Albert Sperry, and Paul Sperry.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Wing-Bain Funeral Home in Montevideo. Burial will be held at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 1:35 p.m. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Saturday. Arrangements are with the Wing-Bain Funeral Home of Montevideo for Violet O’Dea.