Martha May (O'Nan) Odelberg
Obituaries
Daily Sentinel page 3D - June 7, 2020
Martha May
Odelberg
August 9, 1933 - May 8, 2020
Martha May (O’Nan)
Odelberg graduated from planet
Earth and her spirit ascended to
the Heavenly realm of Jesus, her
Saviour, on Friday, May 8, 2020,
but her influence has spread
here on Earth and will remain
throughout the days and years
ahead. Her spiritual light shines
on and on.
Martha May was born to Lindsay Shannon O’Nan and Lucy
Nelson (Brown) O’Nan, in Grand Junction, CO, on August 9,
1933, the ninth child of ten: seven sons, Clifford, Clyde, Lawrence,
Curtis, George, Floyd, and Fred, and three daughters, Beth, Martha
May, and Arlene. Her parents; all seven brothers, and sister, Beth
Hugenot, preceded her in death. Arlene Knight, of Yuma, AZ, is
the only surviving sibling.
Martha May was a faithful precious wife to her husband, David
Odelberg, for nearly 67 years, and was also a loving mother,
grandmother, and great-grandmother. Together, the family consists
of loving daughter, Cheryl Ann Odelberg of Durango, CO and her
children (our grandchildren), Andrea Shellabarger, Durango, CO;
Philip Shellabarger, Fort Collins, CO, and Kevin Shannon Decker
(Sarah); great-grandchildren, Drew, Beau, Selah, and Aurora; son,
Shannon Jay Odelberg and daughter-in-law, Lisa Urness, of Salt
Lake City, UT. Martha May also loved her many nephews and
nieces, and they loved her in return and have many fond memories
of her and family get togethers with many water fights and other
hilarious, fun pranks pulled. All these actions were taken in good
humor and were often returned. In our family gatherings Jesus and
the spirit of Godliness was never abandoned.
Martha May attended Lincoln Park Elementary, Grand Junction
Junior High, and graduated from GJHS in 1951. She was active
in 4-H, Drama Club, and Thespians. Her classmates have been
meeting at a local restaurant for an early luncheon on the second
Thursday of each month for many years.
During the latter half of the 1950s, Martha May took on the task
of being the second female bus driver for School District #51. She
enjoyed it very much and had a combined time of approximately 27
years. She loved her kindergarten to high school passangers, and
they seemed to be happy to have her as their bus driver. From 1982
- 1988, Martha May was cook and food preparer for our Kitchen
Kart Katering route to businesses and other events that were held
in our valley. She would rise each morning between 3:30 - 4:00
a.m., and begin her preparations. The catering truck was loaded
with scrumptious food and the enjoyment of her customers started
with the arrival of the truck at the first stop. Many times some of
the goodies would be consumed rapidly and a quick emergency call
would have to be made to Martha May at home base. She would
quickly prepare and deliver to the right location.
Martha May has been a member of the First Church of the
Nazarene since early childhood, where she served and participated
in various ministries; board member, youth sponsor, president of the
young peoples’ society, choir and song director, children’s church
director, Sunday school director, and teacher. One of the highlights
of her church ministry was directing three act plays and teen
choir in the 1960s with a youth group 35-40 teens strong. She also
directed Hymn Sing and sing-a-longs at Atrium of Grand Valley
(Holiday Retirement Corporation) where she worked as assistant
manager from September, 1995 - 2001. She continued Hymn Sing
and Sing-a-long as a volunteer for many more years.
A Memorial celebration is planned for when the virus sufficiently
lets up.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the First Church
of the Nazarene or HopeWest Hospice, both
