Paul George Odegaard
Paul G. Odegaard, 94, of Billings, died on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at St. Vincent’s Hospital, surrounded by family.
Paul was born on Aug. 6, 1930, in Hankinson, North Dakota, the son of E. Julius and Minnie (Milbrandt) Brummond. Upon his parents’ divorce, he lived with his mother and her new husband, Herman Berg. Paul was adopted by Herman Berg. After Minnie’s death, he was raised by his adopted father Herman and his new wife, Kathryn.
Following periods of illness, Paul was placed into the North Dakota Children’s Home (The Village) in Fargo, North Dakota. He was later adopted by Alfred and Christine (Gross) Odegaard of Cleveland, North Dakota.
Upon graduating from Cleveland High School, he worked on the family farm and went on to work in heavy construction. Soon after, he met Kay Anderson, and they married on July 19, 1957, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. They celebrated 67 years together. They traveled many places for Paul’s work before settling in Billings. Together, they raised four children: Paula, Shayne, Troy and Shelley.
After retiring, Paul and Kay traveled in their RV and wintered in Apache Junction, Arizona. Paul was a member of the Elks Club and the Freightliner Club.
Paul is survived by his children, Paula, Shayne and Shelley (David) Yager; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Kay; three sets of parents; brothers Elmer, Elroy and Maurice; sisters Leona, Erma, Ione and Diane; son Troy; and grandson Corey.
A combined celebration of life for Paul and Kay Odegaard will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave. Interment will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at Mountview Cemetery (section 14).
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Adult Resource Alliance (Meals on Wheels), Billings; Village Family Service Center, Fargo, North Dakota; and the Alzheimer’s Association of Montana, Billings.
