Eleanor Irene (Lee) Ogdahl

Eleanor Ogdahl, age 100, of Glenwood, died peacefully on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Glenwood Village Care Center. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, November 22nd at All Saints Chapel in Glenwood Village Care Center, with Pastor Brenda Boogren officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will follow in Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.  

Eleanor Irene Ogdahl was born on March 16, 1924, to Thomas and Hilma (Berg) Lee, Eleanor was the youngest sibling among six children. Growing up in the depths of the Great Depression, she persevered.  She studied hard, excelled academically, graduating with honors from Glenwood High School. 

On June 21, 1941, Eleanor married Lester W. Ogdahl, embarking on a journey of love, companionship and “pulling together”. When Lester enlisted in the Army Air Corps, the couple was stationed in Texas, where Eleanor's skills led her to work for the Government at the Ration Board (OPA), overseeing sugar rations during a critical time. 

Her award winning typing and shorthand skills gave her opportunity as she was recruited to record trial testimony. Her integrity shone through as she handled sensitive information during the trials of “black marketers” of the 1940s, never betraying the trust placed in her.

Returning to Glenwood during Lester's deployment, Eleanor became the cornerstone of her growing family, raising four wonderful children: Jerry, Bob, Lesley and Tom. When Lester returned home Eleanor and Lester decided to start Ogdahl Construction and Builder’s Lumber Co in Glenwood. Eleanor used her extraordinary organizational skills to be the bookkeeper for many years.  Once McLeod Inc. came to Glenwood, Mr. McLeod approached her with an offer to work for his company where she was an executive assistant and she managed the office until her retirement.

Eleanor's life was rich with involvement in her church and community. She was an active member of the Altar Guild at Glenwood Lutheran, a Sunday school teacher, and held leadership roles in various organizations including the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, and Mrs. Jaycees. Her passion for service extended to her roles as a Boy Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, and served as the Chairman for the Heart Drive for Pope County. She was active in Waterama and in charge of the Waterama Queen’s Brunch.

A writer at heart, Eleanor's talent was recognized in her early 20’s when her story "Through the Night" was published in a national magazine. However, the most treasured gift that she left her family was the hundreds of pages of typed stories about herself, her family, her friends and her deepest thoughts. Over the years Eleanor and Lester loved to dance and listen to music at the Lakeside Ballroom.  She was a crossword enthusiast who also loved reading, fishing, and camping on Lake Villard.  She loved to golf and was on a bowling league for years.  She credits her long life to her love for playing Scrabble and cards. This brought her much joy; it kept her mind sharp and enhanced the relationships with her friends and family.  She belonged to several card clubs over the years but her longest lasting club began in 1946 and lasted for 66 years!  The love of games became her platform for “Grandma Camp”.  Amazing memories were made every year with her 10 grandchildren who gathered for a week each summer playing games and doing activities during “Grandma Camp”.  In one of her writings to her family that summarized all the things she loved to do she closed by saying…Always remember  - as far as I’m concerned - Family comes first - always and forever!!!

Eleanor is survived by her four children, Jerry of Bloomington, Bob (Karen) of Baxter, Lesley (Mark) Hoplin of Glenwood, and Tom (Tammy) of Cottonwood, ten grandchildren – Greg, Melissa, Sara, Nate, Megan, Eric, Nels, Adam, Andy, Aaron – and seventeen great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Ellie, Josie, Debbie, Noah, Gavin, Eric Jr., Thatcher, Ally, Spencer, Zoe, Willa, Lydia, Frankie, Delaney, Charlie, Liam along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Lester, her infant son Leslie Anton, her siblings Clarette, Mildred, Evelyn, Leighton, and Harry, and daughter-in-law Mary Jean Ogdahl.

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