Wally Odegaard, 74, of West Fargo, North Dakota passed away at Essentia Hospital in Fargo on Thursday, November 6th, 2025.
Wally was born on July 11, 1951, in Fort Worth, Texas to Donald and Irene (Severson) Odegaard. He was the second oldest of 7 children. Wally grew up in Mapleton, North Dakota where he graduated high school in 1969 before joining the Navy in 1970. While serving in the navy he was stationed in the Mediterranean Sea.
After his time in the Navy, Wally worked as a farm laborer at the Mel Scherweit Farm in Mapleton for several years. He married the love of his life, Mary Beth Wanschaffe, in 1991 and settled down in West Fargo.
Together they had two children, Ethan and Erin. Wally was an exceptional, hardworking, and loving father. He went on to work at Fargo Pack in West Fargo running the smoke house, which their family dog Charles loved. Wally retired from Fargo Pack in August of 2017. During retirement, he gained the title of “Papa” welcoming his first grandchild Sulliven Wallace Jorstad into the world in 2020. Becoming a grandfather brought Wally immense joy, he was very excited to hear the news that a little granddaughter would be joining the family this February.
Left to cherish Wally’s memory is his loving wife, Mary Beth of West Fargo; children, Ethan Odegaard of Fargo, Erin (Noah) Jorstad of Moorhead; grandchildren Sulliven Jorstad, granddaughter Jorstad on the way; siblings Pam (Mike) Dahl, Cindy (Marv) Skar, Danny Odegaard, Kevin (Cindy) Odegaard, Becky (Randy) Untersher; sister-in-law Jacki Odegaard; and many nieces and nephews. Wally was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Irene Odegaard, and his brother Jody Odegaard.
More than anything Wally wanted his children to know how much he loved them and how very proud they made him. He also wanted his siblings, nieces, and nephews to know that he loved them greatly.
We as a family plan on wearing flannel shirts and encourage you to join us in wearing plaid/flannel, but most importantly whatever you are comfortable in.
Donations to Meals on Wheels through Valley Senior Services would be greatly appreciated.
Memorial Mass: 10am, Friday, November 14, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in West Fargo.
Visitation with the family will be held an hour prior to mass.
Interment: St. John’s Cemetery, Horace, ND
West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center
westfuneralhome.com
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