It is with saddened hearts that we announce the loss of our beloved Mother, Eleanor Odle. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 88 on October 16th, 2023 at Norton County Hospital.

Eleanor was one of the strongest, hardest working women to ever walk this earth and our family was blessed to have her as our Mom. Eleanor was born to Pete and Anna (Wudtke) Lorentz on August 12, 1935 in Herndon, Kansas and was the youngest of six children. Early in life, she developed a strong work ethic, doing everything from working at a gas station, waiting tables, milking cows, and even delivering milk all over Herndon. She never shied away from hard work and was always active in working for her family, a trait that she carried into her marriage and her own family.

Eleanor was waiting tables in Oberlin, Kansas when she met a very special truck driver, Elden Odle.  Elden and Eleanor were married April 8, 1961 in a double wedding with Eleanor's sister Hazel and her husband James Rippetoe.  Elden and Eleanor were inseparable from that point for over 62 years. They soon moved to Prairie View, Kansas to farm and raise a family in the house that they built. Elden and Eleanor went on to have three children, Eddy, Danny and Wendy. Eleanor was a wonderful and loving mother who gave her all to her family. Her fierce dedication to family and her faith in God set the path for her children and their families. Family came first and was above all else to Eleanor.

Partners in all their endeavors, Eleanor ran the family farm while Elden continued to drive a truck.  She could always be found driving a tractor, checking on the cows, canning fruits and vegetables, tending her flower garden and helping her children. You just couldn't keep her from getting done what needed to be done. Eleanor was an active member of the Prairie View Reformed Church. Throughout Eleanor's life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she lived out day by day in her prayers for her family and her actions for anyone who needed support.

Her grandchildren will remember a loving and generous grandma who loved to give them gifts any time she could. Eleanor would sneak into their rooms to leave hidden presents for them whenever she came to visit. Many times, they would open their drawers to find their favorite candy bars tucked neatly in among their socks! She would also sneak money to them just because they were good grandchildren. All of her family will remember the massive amount of food she would make for any holiday gathering. One of her signature staples for any holiday was enough pie that all could eat pie morning, noon and night and there would still be pie left over. Eleanor truly mastered making pies.

Eleanor was predeceased in death by her parents Pete and Anna Lorentz, brothers Marvin Lorentz and wife Dixie, and Clarence Lorentz and wife Evelyn, as well as sisters Betty Smith and husband Bob, and Dorothy Alstrom and husband Kieth, and brother-in-law James Rippetoe.

She is survived by her husband Elden Odle, son Eddy Odle and wife Dawn of Stillwater, Minnesota, son Danny Odle and wife Susan of Kingwood, Texas, and daughter Wendy Popp and husband John of Great Bend, Kansas. Surviving grandchildren are Ryan Jones and wife Laura, Shannon Jones and partner Bill Daluge, Danielle McDonald and husband Ben, Emily Odle, Jordan Popp, Anna Popp, and Sophie Popp. Surviving great-grandchildren include Arie Jones and Jack Daluge. Other survivors are Eleanor's sister Hazel Rippetoe of Del City, Oklahoma, brother-in-law Richard Odle of Phillipsburg, Kansas, and sister-in-law Pat Barnes of Long Island, Kansas.

A funeral service, officiated by Pastor Lew Van Der Wege, will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the Prairie View Reformed Church, in Prairie View, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in Phillipsburg, Kansas.

Mrs. Odle will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, November 6, and Tuesday, November 7, with a visitation from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening, at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.

Memorials may be made to the Prairie View Reformed Church.