Kenneth “Ken” Odegard passed away May 7, 2010, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Born March 12, 1925, to Knute and Kate Odegard in Kalispell, Montana, Ken grew up in the Creston area where he met and fell in love with Pat Bellmore. They married in 1953 and bore five children: Leah Ann, Carol, Ken, Jr., Susan, and Tom. During the early part of their marriage, Ken made his living as a dairy farmer. As busy as life was, Ken found time to give back to the community, serving on the Cayuse Prairie School Board, the Community College Board and the Equity Supply Board. He also served as a member of the Creston Volunteer Fire Department. In 1971, he and Pat moved to Bozeman, Montana, where they owned and operated Taco John’s Restaurant for twenty-three years. Ken and Pat returned to the Flathead area in 1995.
Ken inspired all he met through his zest for living. An avid racquetball player and down-hill skier, Ken began snowboarding at seventy years of age. Instilling in his children this joy for life is one of the greatest gifts he has given his family. His undying love for his children and grandchildren was evidenced in all that he did. Ken’s kindness and generosity will always be remembered as will his love of learning.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Harold and Alfred “Bud,” and by his beloved first-born daughter, Leah Ann. He is survived by his loving wife, Pat; daughter Carol Waugh and her husband Rex; daughter Susan Odegard Fellows and her husband Steve; son Ken, Jr.; son Tom and his wife Mimosa; son-in-law Dave Lewis; and grandchildren Alison and Adrienne Lewis; Mackenzie and Morgan Waugh; and Samara, Shelby and Duncan Fellows. Ken is also survived by brothers-in-law Jim and Larry Bellmore whom he loved as though they were his own brothers.