Odonna Margaret DeRock, 88, of Mason City, died Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.
Odonna was born August 2, 1933, the daughter of Ole and Mabel (Orpan) Ballandby in Worth County, IA. She graduated from Kensett High School in 1951 and moved to Mason City in her twenties. On September 20, 1958, she married the man of her dreams, Leon DeRock in Owatonna, MN. They welcomed their only daughter, Bethany (DeRock) Speece, in June 1959. Leon preceded Odonna in death on October 28, 2014.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Glen Ballandby, sister, Alice (Ballandby Craw; and best friend, Dorothy Green.
Odonna is survived by her daughter, Bethany (Rev. Grant) Speece of Dwight, IL; grandchildren, Rev. Charles (Kate McDonough) Owens of Sioux Falls, SD and Andrew Owens of Fargo, ND; Odonna had a special relationship with Kate, whom she loved like a granddaughter. She was also especially close to her niece, Judy DeRock (Curt Floy), who faithfully visited her every week, took her for lunch, and went shopping with her. Other nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive her. Odonna was blessed to have another best friend, Mary Homerding, whom she met at Kentucky Ridge Assisted Living. Mary and the many friends–residents and staff—at Kentucky Ridge Assisted Living also survive her.
Odonna was a voracious reader and would often take twelve or more books out from the library. She always managed to read them within two weeks. She also loved doing word puzzles, especially crosswords. Sometimes she would erase all the answers so she could enjoy doing those puzzles again. She also loved shopping for clothes and jewelry, and she was always up for a trip to a dollar store. In addition, she liked to watch westerns on TV. She was a proud Norwegian and collected troll dolls and other Scandinavian items. She also loved cardinals.
Per Odonna’s wishes, her body has been cremated and she will be buried next to her late husband, Leon, at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City. She requested that there be no funeral.
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