Obituary - Doreen Oddan

Florence Doreen Oddan, beloved wife of the late Lawrence Oddan, passed away peacefully at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Saturday, July 31, 2010, at the age of 72 years. Doreen was born to Edward and Lydia Pohl on August 5, 1937, and received her education in Golden Prairie, SK. On October 5, 1955, she married Lawrence Oddan. Together, they continued to operate the family garage which later became Oddan Farm Equipment. Doreen did volunteer canvassing for the Red Cross from 1980 to 1987. She always took great pride in her garden, entering her prize tulips in the tulip contest in 1986 and 1987, winning awards both years. At the 1990 Home Coming in Golden Prairie, she won the plaque for the oldest continuous resident (at that time it was for 47 years). All those years she worked along side her husband at the garage doing the books and serving the customers. In 1980, they sold their garage, and in 1996 they retired to Medicine Hat. Doreen was very proud of her small town, picking up cans and bottles on her evening walks. She was an avid doll collector, with a collection of over 500 dolls. Lawrence and Doreen took many nice trips, but the highlight of their travels was their trip to Norway in 2005 ~ a trip they enjoyed immensely! They also enjoyed camping and fishing, one of the things Doreen missed most about the passing of her husband. She was very supportive in her husband’s passion of aviation, as she acquired her co-pilot’s licence later on, and proved to be a great asset in assisting with the restoration and maintenance of several aircraft through the years together. Doreen leaves to mourn her passing: one brother, Elmer (Dorothy) Pohl; nieces; nephews; brothers and sisters-in-law; two “chosen” grandchildren, David and Laura; one “chosen” great-granddaughter, Londyn as well as many friends and neighbours. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years in 2007; her father, Edward Pohl in 1992 and her mother, Lydia Pohl in 2004. A Celebration of Doreen’s life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Friday, August 6, 2010, at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Barrett Scheske officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Palliative Care Society, 640 Professional Building, 640 - 3 Street S.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 0H5.