Densel Wayne O’Dea was born on the family farm in rural Red Willow County, Nebraska. Densel was the second child of James W. and Louise M. (Nothnagel) O’Dea. Densel graduated from Red Willow High School in 1949 and served in the United States Army from 1952-1954, spending 13 months in Korea, stationed in Pusan, now Busan. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
He married Barbara K. Bender on May 22, 1954 at the First United Methodist Church in McCook. Together they had four children. Densel farmed in the Red Willow, Bartley, and Indianola areas until 1957 and worked for the Bureau of Reclamation and Soil Conservation Service until 1966. During this time, he graduated from McCook Community College. In 1965, he moved his young family to Lincoln while he attended the University of Nebraska for three semesters, graduating with a degree in agronomy.
After Densel’s graduation, the family moved to Benkelman, Nebraska where Densel was the Agricultural Extension Agent for Dundy County from 1967-1972. They then moved to Bridgeport, Nebraska where he was the Extension Agent for Morrill County until 1986.
After retirement, Densel remained active working for Trinidad Bean and selling seed corn. In 1993, he and Barbara moved back to McCook and rejoined the McCook Christian Church. Densel was active in the community. He served as a member and president of the Bridgeport Lions Club, as a member and president of the Association of Agricultural Agents, and as a member of the American Legion and the Bartley Lodge 228 AF&AM.
Densel loved agriculture and gave many hours to 4H and FFA programs in each of the areas that he lived (In Red Willow, Dundy, and Morrill Counties). He received the NACAA achievement award for an education program he developed while working as an extension agent.
For over 50 years, Densel enjoyed the hobby of driving vehicles for various car dealerships. He also enjoyed a daily routine of early morning coffee and conversation with friends at Arby’s.
Densel passed away Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. He was 91 years of age.
Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Betty Phillips; brother, Carlton O’Dea; mother and father-in-law, Enid and Lafayette Hurley; brothers-in-law, Richard Phillips, Maxwell Nelms, and Jerald Weed.
Densel is survived by his wife, Barbara, of 68 years; children: Kenneth (Kristy) O’Dea of Hubbard Lake, Michigan, James (Kim) O’Dea of McCook, Patricia (David) Fulton of Pleasanton, Nebraska, and Pamela (Douglas) Adams of Fort Worth, Texas; 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; one sister, Dona Nelms of Cambridge, Nebraska; sisters-in-law, Darlene Weed of Kennewick, Washington, Marilyn Bohl, and Andrea O’Dea, both of McCook.
Visitation will be on Thursday, February 2, 2023 from 10AM-7PM at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. The family will be present to greet friends from 5-7PM.
Funeral services will be held at 11AM, Friday morning, February 3, 2023 at the Willow Christian Church in Indianola with Pastor Clark Bates officiating. Graveside services with military honors will be held at 3PM, Friday afternoon, February 3, 2023 at Memorial Park Cemetery, McCook.
Memorials are suggested to the Hillcrest Foundation or to Community HealthCare and Hospice of McCook, in Densel's name. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.