Roland C. Odland, 89, of Redfield, SD died Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at the Easter Star Home in Redfield, SD surrounded by his family.

His funeral will be Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Redfield. Reverend Brian Wasmoen will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery.

Visitation at Thelen Funeral Home will be from 1-8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. and the family present at 6:00 p.m. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Roland, or "Rollie" as he was most commonly known to everyone, was born May 1, 1924 in Kidder, SD to Ole and Clara (Eggen) Odland. He graduated from Kidder High School in 1942 and immediately went to work at Thorp Farms. While working at Thorp farms, he met and married Marilyn Hanson on December 27, 1948 in Britton. They were married for 46 years before she passed away on June 22, 1995. He worked as the right hand man to Walter Thorp, at Thorp Hereford Farms near Britton, SD from the time he graduated high school until 1949. While he was working on the Thorp Farm, he traveled extensively with Mr. Thorp to stock shows in Denver, Cheyenne, Omaha, Fort Worth, and Milwaukee ending that circuit with the South Dakota State Fair in Huron. Some of his proudest moments during this time were showing and winning national championship Heifers and Bulls. These accomplishments include: a 1947 Denver Championship; a 1947 Grand Champ in Fort Worth, TX; a championship Hereford bull of the 1948 show at Fort Worth. While he was working with Thorp Hereford Ranch in 1949, Mr. Thorp, with Rollie by his side was the 1949 big winner in the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show in three different classes including one champion Hereford of the show. After leaving Thorp Farm, he worked at Grass Lake Ranch west of Mansfield, SD from 1950-1954. He also farmed at the Fish Farm at Ashton, SD from 1954-1957. It was in 1957 that Roland and his wife bought and moved their family to the McCone farm south of Redfield. It was here that he raised, bred, and sold his own Registered Polled Hereford cattle until his retirement at the age of 62. From his own herd, he produced champion bulls, heifers, steers at South Dakota, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Minnesota State Fairs, and at Hereford shows in Chicago, Denver, Fort Worth, Kansas City, Rapid City shows. He had a Grand Champion Polled Hereford Steer over all breeds at Kansas City, Denver and Fort Worth and many state fairs. The largest show string that he had was 26 and the smallest was 8.


He was very instrumental, both as a father and 4-H Leader, in teaching and assisting his children with their many showings and State Fair Championships for Steers, Heifers, and Sheep. As a 4-H leader, he mentored many other children. His sons, Lee and Tim farmed with him for many years. After his retirement from farming, he began work in the gravel business. After working there for many years, he was proud that his grandson, Clayton Odland took over the gravel business in 2004.

While he was farming, Rollie was a very active participant and member of the National Farmers Organization (NFO) and 4-H. He received the Outstanding Leadership Award in 4-H Club Work in 1961 from the South Dakota State College and United States Department of Agriculture along with the 2007 Meritorious Service Award for Outstanding Contributions and Support to the Spink County 4-H Program. Another honor bestowed upon him was being named Spink County 1964 Soil and Moisture Conservation Farmer of the Year.

Roland was a hard worker but when he wasn't working, he loved spending time with his family. His eyes would light up whenever he was around his grandchildren or great grandchildren. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his family. In his younger years, some of his favorite leisure activities included bowling, fishing, and dancing. In his later years, he enjoyed his trips to the casinos and most of all playing cards with his friends.

Rollie is survived by his four children: Lee Odland of Redfield; Gayle (Paul) DeAntona of Scranton, PA; Tim (Sheila) Odland of Redfield and Deb Odland Lutz of Redfield. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jamie Minor, Jessica Benedict, Carmelle (Kevin) Shea, Michelle (Michael) Cole, P.J. DeAntona, Tonya (Shane) Croeni, Clayton (Alison) Odland, Timothy Steven Odland, Dustan Lutz and Heather Lutz along with eighteen great-grandchildren.


He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, his parents, and three brothers and four sisters.