Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 19, 11:00a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church in Westbrook. A musical concert by family members will begin at 10:30 a.m. prior to the service.
The Westbrook Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Arthur Odens was born to John and Jennie (Block) Odens on July 8, 1916 on a farm near Adrian, Minnesota. He grew up on a farm northeast of Pipestone, Minnesota, where he attended a one-room country school and later graduated from the Ruthton Public High School.

While attending St. Paul Bible Institute, Arthur was born again into God’s family in September 1937, when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior from sin. His life verses were Romans 10:9-10, “That if thou shalt confess with they mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved”. (vs. 9)

Wedding bells rang for Arthur Odens and Marie Helen Toews on August 16, 1941. After completing some postgraduate work at Bethel College, the young couple served in ministries in Montana. Arthur was ordained a minister in 1945. Arthur and Marie dedicated forty-three years of their lives to serving the Lord and people by pastoring in Cambria, Lake Benton, Jeffers, Preston, Artichoke Lake, Ortonville, Redwood Falls, Fairmont, Bloomington, and Wells, Minnesota.

Arthur leaves a loving family numbering 92. He was the patriarch, leaving his wife Marie, 7 children and spouses: Donald and Gloria Odens of Eden Prairie, Joyce and David Goodwin of Owensboro, KY, Marjean and Marcus Moffitt of Sheldon, IA, Carmen and Robert Allen of Maxwell, NE, James and Jill Odens of Oak Park Heights, MN, Cindy and David Allen of Laurel, MT, Paul and Linda Odens of Long Lake, MN; 26 grandchildren and spouses and 36 great-grandchildren, all of whom love him dearly.

“I loved animals and still do. It was not easy for me to leave the farm.” Were Arthur’s comments not too long ago. He loved America and was known for contacting the President and lawmakers about principles dear to his heart and for writing numerous letters to the editors of his local newspapers. Even after his retirement, Arthur continued to encourage and minister to young pastors.

Arthur adopted and lived by the following motto: “It matters not the path on earth my feet are made to trod. It only matters that I walk obedient to God.”