Dorothy "Dot" A. Odden, age 79, of Shawano, formerly of Kindred ND, went to her home in Heaven July 18, 2015, after over seven months of dealing with surgeries and many complications. She passed away in her home surrounded by family and friends. Dot was born April 20, 1936 in Wahpeton, North Dakota, to Emil and Dagney (Elness) Odden. She lost her mother when she was only 11 months old, and was raised by her uncle and aunt, Andrew and Marie Odden along with their daughter, LaMae. Growing up, Dot rode her horse to a one-room schoolhouse in rural McLeod, North Dakota. Dot helped Dad Andrew farm in the McLeod and Kindred areas. She attended Kindred High School and later Valley City State College to earn her teaching degree. She taught in Glendive, Montana, Harvey, North Dakota and Rothsay, Minnesota. In the early 70's she moved to Shawano, where she taught at Gresham and then at the Franklin Middle School until her retirement. After her retirement, she became more involved with the Shawano County Humane Society, where she was a Board Member for many years. She aided in fund raisers and other activities. She volunteered at Zion Lutheran Church ushering, greeting, serving communion, and mentoring Confirmands. Dot loved her God, her siblings, her nieces and nephews, the farm, sports, her beloved pets and reading. She had a very generous heart and always brought laughter where she went. Dot is survived by her sister, LaMae Friskop, of Fargo ND.; longtime friend and caretaker, Dolores Wronowski of Shawano, WI.; sisters-in-law, Beth Odden of Madison, MN, and Joann Monson of Moorhead, MN.; nieces and nephews, Dean, Carla, Rick, Kathy, Judy, Melissa, David, Greg, Scott, Laurie, Gary, Julie and many dear, caring friends. She is preceded in death by her "two" sets of parents, Emil and Dagney and Andrew and Marie; sister Idella Haag; brothers Dennis Odden and Terry Monson; nieces, Debra Danielson and Pam Monson; and brother-in-law, Arvid Friskop. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church, Shawano with Pastor Scott Ludford officiating. Visitation will be at Zion Lutheran Church on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the services. Memorials may be made in Dot's name to Zion Lutheran Church or the Shawano County Humane Society. Swedberg Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. The family would like to thank the Shawano Medical Center Hospital staff who cared for Dot many times, the Birch Hill staff, the Hospice at Home staff and the loving attention Dot received from her family doctor, Dr. Beth Gillis. We hope you all have been blessed to have known Dot - the Christian Norwegian. www.swedbergfuneralhome.com