Obituary of Odelia Back

Odelia M. Back, age 95, of Port Edwards, passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at Wellington Place in Wausau, WI.

A funeral Mass will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at St. Alexander’s Catholic Church in Port Edwards. Father John Swing will officiate. Burial will be at Port Edwards Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services on Wednesday at the church.   Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids is assisting the family.

Odelia was born on September 22, 1921 in the Town of Wood to William and Sophia (Tritz) Thielen. She attended St. Joachim’s Catholic School and Pittsville High School graduating in 1939. Odelia married Raymond Back on June 5, 1940 at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Pittsville. They were happily married for 37 years until his passing on August 5, 1977.

Before her marriage to Raymond, she was employed by the Pittsville Pottery. After marrying Raymond, they farmed in the Town of Sherry for 20 years. They moved to Port Edwards in 1961 where she then worked for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service from 1965 until 1980.

Odelia was a member of the Wisconsin Rapids Senior Citizens Club, where she served as treasurer and membership chairperson for many years. She also enjoyed being a member of the Sing-A-Long and Whoopla Band. Odelia was also a member of the St. Alexander’s Women’s Club in Port Edwards and the Nekoosa Senior Citizens Club. During her years as a homemaker, Odelia enjoyed crocheting, needlework, dancing, playing cards and bingo, and spending time with family.

Odelia is survived by one son: Terry (Jean) Back, Mosinee; two daughters: Donna (Roger) Sternot, Mena, Arkansas, and Penny (Peter) Demerath, Shiocton; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Olga Krubsack, Nekoosa. She is preceded in death by her loving husband; parents; daughter, Janice Votava; son, Richard Back; grandson, Conrad Roger Sternot; great- great-grandson, Braylen Sternot; sister, Mariezita Boyles, and brothers, Eugene, Oreion, and William Thielen, Jr.