Delphine Doris Ode

Delphine Doris Ode, 92, passed away peacefully at the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, MN, on February 14, 2024.  Delphine was born on the family farm in the Fall on September 8, 1931, in Pine Creek, MN, to parents Oliver and Inga (Thingelstad) Rice.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at birth in 1931.  

Growing up, Delphine attended a little schoolhouse in the woods before transitioning to Rosseau High School of which she was a graduate with the class of 1949.  Shortly thereafter she met Vernon Howard Ode, the two were married and their union was blessed with the births of four children:  Wayne, Roger, Diane, and Howard.  Sadly, Howard passed away in 2010 and Diane passed away in 2016.  

Roger and Wayne remember their mother as a hard worker, the family moved to Crookston in 1950s and while raising a family of four, Delphine also held a variety of jobs throughout the years.  She worked for the Beat Plant, American Crystal Sugar, Rocks Jewelry, Best Western, and retired from the housekeeping department at Riverview Hospital in Crookston.   For a brief period of time the family lived in Scobey, Montana, before returning to Crookston where Delphine lived out the rest of her life.  Several years ago, Delphine began her battle with Alzheimer’s, during which she became a resident of the Riverview Memory Care Unit until it closed.  In April of 2023, she moved to the Villa St. Vincent, of which she quickly became a beloved resident.  She will not only be deeply missed by her family, but also by the staff who cared for her for nearly the past year.  

Delphine loved many things in life but had a deep and profound Faith and Commitment to the Lord.   She was a faithful servant having been a member of St. Paul’s Luther Church where she had her children baptized and confirmed, unfortunately due to her battle with Alzheimer’s, she was unable to attend church in person for many years but found comfort in her Bible.   Her sons remember their mother for her amazing cooking skills, the trips they took as a family up North to spend time with their extended family, their closeness, the car rides, the family dinners, how Delphine loved flowers and to garden, how she just loved to be outside, and her love for the classics like The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie.  

Left to mourn Delphine’s passing are her two sons:  Roger Ode of Crookston, MN, and Wayne Ode of Euclid, MN; a grandson, Eli of Lakewood, CO; Sisters, Margie (Dick) Andersen, Lorraine Dye, Kathleen (Hartley) Dahl, and Dwight (Betty) Rice; and many other relatives.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Ode; Son, Howard Ode; Daughter, Diane Ode; her parents:  Oliver and Inga Rice; Brother's, Roy (Gayle) Rice, and Stanley (Donna) Rice and infant Knut Rice; Sisters, Irene (Francis) Ask, and Evelyn (Dale) Wold, Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Newell (Irene) Ode, Marvin (Yvonne) Ode, Norma and Arlene Ode; and many other relatives.  

A memorial service celebrating Delphine’s life will be held at Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 2:00 PM with Pastor Chad Brucklacher Officiating.  Visitation with the family will be from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM.  The service will be livestreamed by going to www.stenshoelhouske.com and follow the prompts to Delphine’s obituary.