Julia M. Odenthal, 76

Julia M. Odenthal, age 76, of Le Center, died suddenly, in her daughter’s arms on Wednesday, September 23, 2020.  Julia was born on November 29, 1943 in Elko, Minnesota to Frank and Julia (Horejsi) Peterka.  Julia married the love of her life, Cornelius T. Odenthal on August 8, 1964 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in New Market.  She was raised on a family farm so she was no stranger to hard work and that strong work ethic would define the rest of her life as well.  Over her lifetime, she worked as a secretary for Carlton College, as an assembler at Green Giant in Le Sueur, and finally retiring from ADC Telecommunications in Le Sueur.  Her faith was a cornerstone of her life and she was active at St. Scholastica Catholic Church.  The importance of family and her grandchildren defined every aspect of her life; her home was always surrounded by her children and grandchildren, whether it was helping with her phenomenal gardens and canning the fruits of those gardens, or baking and enjoying wonderful and delicious meals.  She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, reading, crossword puzzles and word searches.  In addition to her family, animals filled Julia’s life, from the cows she milked as a child, to the pets that would fill the house over the years.  Her faithful friends, Barney, her dog, and Petey, her cat are already missing the treats that became a routine each day.

One of Julia’s greatest gifts was a kidney transplant 17 years ago from her sister, Barbara.  She knew that her chances of receiving another kidney were probably slim so protecting that precious gift from her sister became her main goal in life.  She became a fierce advocate for organ donation.

 Julia is survived by her husband, Cornelius Odenthal of Le Center; children, Richard (Jane) Odenthal of Albany, MN, Thomas (Cathy) Odenthal of Shakopee, Theodore (Tracy) Odenthal of Heidelberg, Karen Odenthal of Le Center, Rebecca (John) Colwell of Lonsdale, Jill (Brian) Jahn of New Prague; grandchildren, Alexandra, Rachel, Daniel, Thomas, Evan, Quinn, Zachary, Courtney, Blake, Allison, Billy, Steven, & Megan Odenthal, Maggie, Tim, & Sarah Colwell, Heidi, Eric, & Tyler Jahn; sisters, Madonna (John) Novotny of New Prague, Teresa (Ron) Jirik of Lonsdale, Barbara Summers of Lakeville.  She is preceded in death by her parents; grandchildren, Ethan Odenthal and Michael Odenthal; sister, Margaret Peterka; brothers, Fritz & Peter Peterka.

 Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 11:30 AM at St. Scholastica Catholic Church in Heidelberg with Father Eugene Theisen officiating.   Masks and social distancing are required.  Mass will be live-streamed on the New Prague Catholic Facebook page.  Burial will follow mass at St. Scholastica Cemetery.  bruzekfuneralhome.com

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