Obituaries

Verna Ruth (Kraske) Odom was welcomed into heaven and God’s full love and grace on January 19, 2023, in St. Charles, Illinois.

She was the daughter of Ernest and Dorothy (Lembke) Kraske; sister to Carl Kraske (Judy); the loving mom to Amy Pearson (Mark), Ellen Odom, and Alison Adams (John); the proud grandma to Eric Pearson (Regina), Kelly Pearson Jones (Trevor), Emily Bemis, Courtney Bemis Wright (Jake), Heather Bemis, Nathan Adams, Colin Adams; and even prouder great-grandma to Judah, Emmett, and Luke Jones, Margot Pearson, and Noah Wright.

With her interest and degrees in education, Verna was a lifelong learner and educator.   She was born in Belleville, IL in 1935 and graduated from Mascoutah High School in 1952.  She attended Southern Illinois University at age 16 and graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 1956.  After graduation, she began her career by teaching kindergarten in Kankakee, IL.  She married Ira Edgar Odom in 1957 and moved to Urbana, IL where she earned a Master of Education from the University of Illinois in 1960.  After moving to DeKalb, IL in 1964, she taught kindergarten at St. Mary School and continued her education at Northern Illinois University.  Her career continued in the Libertyville School District beginning in 1981 until her retirement in 2004.

Verna’s Christian faith was the foundation of her life. She actively participated in and supported her churches throughout the years and loved the fellowship with other church members.  While teaching and raising 3 daughters in DeKalb, she was involved in many organizations including 4-H with her daughters, American Association of University Women, and the American Cancer Society.

Her love of reading and learning is a lasting legacy to her children and grandchildren. She participated in several book groups, and cherished the time spent with her book group members.  Her love of learning also led her to travel throughout the U.S. and the world including trips to Asia, Australia, Canada, and many European countries on tours and cruises with friends.  She also enjoyed frequent trips to visit her daughters in Illinois, Texas, and North Carolina.

Her gardens and yard were always gorgeous and a source of pride, exercise, and conversation.  She was a frequent visitor to The Chicago Botanic Garden which was one of her “happy places”. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Illini, Chicago sports teams, and family sporting events throughout the years. As a gifted seamstress, hostess, and baker, she created countless quilts for family and newborn babies and frequently treated others to her delicious meals, pies, and cookies.

Preceding Verna in death are her parents, Ernest and Dorothy Kraske; former husband, Ira Edgar Odom; brother, Carl Kraske; daughter, Amy Elizabeth Pearson and great-granddaughter, Madison Rose Pearson.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Grace Lutheran Church in Libertyville, IL, with interment at Mascoutah City Cemetery in Mascoutah, IL.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift in Verna’s memory to:

Grace Lutheran Church

501 Valley Park Dr.

Libertyville, IL 60048

or

Cook Memorial Library

Attn: Gabriella Pantle

413 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Libertyville, IL 60048

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