CHARLES 'CHUCK' ODENS
Charles “Chuck” M. Odens, 81 of Forest City, died unexpectedly, Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at his home.
Funeral services for Chuck were held Monday, March 6, at the Forest City United Methodist Church with Pastor Les Green officiating.
Burial was held in Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.
Charles Melvin Odens was born in Springfield, the son of Charles and Jennie (DeRoos) Odens.
He attended Quinn Rural School and graduated from Springfield High School. He made his confession of faith at the Emmanuel Reformed Church in Springfield. In 1963, he received his Bachelor’s degree from Southern State Teachers College in Springfi eld. While in college, he also served in the Army National Guard. In 1970, he received his Master’s Degree in Education from Northern State College in Aberdeen.
He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Joan Jansen on June 1, 1964 in Springfield.
In 1963, Chuck taught for one year in Springview, NE and then two years at Adair Casey, IA before moving to Forest City in 1966 to teach physical education for 33 years. Chuck enjoyed a long run of memorable years coaching eighth grade football and the sophomore boys basketball team. During the summer months away from teaching, he enjoyed house painting with fellow teachers and delivering motor- homes throughout the United States including two trips to Alaska when the interstate system was still a gravel roadway.
After retiring from teaching in 1999, Chuck went back to work as a mail carrier on several rural routes for the next 16 years. Chuck continued to stay active in retirement. He walked or rode his bike almost every day and enjoyed weekly lunches at Sally’s restaurant with fellow retired teachers and friends. He didn’t miss many High School sporting events espe-cially if it included his children or grandchildren and he could always recall several names and highlights from his years coaching.
He was a long-time member of the Forest City United Methodist Church. For several years following retirement, Chuck and Joan served meals on Wednesday afternoons to students participating in Faith Village.
Chuck is survived by his loving wife Joan of Forest City; children, Jennifer (Todd) McQuown of Forest City, Joel (Ann) Odens of St. Louis Park, MN, and Jill (Brandon) Johnson of Cordova, TN; eight grandchildren: Kelsey (Robbie McDonald) McQuown of Boulder, CO, Carly McQuown of Garner, IA, Callie (Easton Jacobs) McQuown of Forest City, Anthony, Henry and Charlie Odens of St. Louis Park, MN, Matthew and Abigail Johnson of Cordova, TN; one brother Darrell (Elaine) Odens of Avon; in-laws Ilene Pudwill and Peggy Odens of Springfield, Harlan Ferwerda of Centerville, Deloris Mulder of Spirit Lake, IA, and Duane Jansen of Fort Collins, CO.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Phil, Frank, and Delbert (in infancy) and three sisters, Charlotte Mudder, Naomi Hale and Carol Ferwerda.