December 26, 1950 – January 8, 2026
Danny LeRoy O’Dell, 75, of Mason City, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE, Mason City, IA 50401 with Mark Doebel officiating. A memorial visitation will be held an hour prior to service, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City following the service.
Danny was born on December 26, 1950, to Fred and Jane (Hall) O’Dell. He grew up in Mason City and attended school there, but before graduating, his parents made the life-changing decision to place him in the United States Marines. That decision shaped the man he became. Danny proudly served two tours in Vietnam and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, carrying that sense of discipline, pride, and resilience with him for the rest of his life.
On May 29, 1969, Danny married the love of his life, Paulette Poole. Together they built a life rooted in love, laughter, and family, and welcomed three children who were the center of Danny’s world.
Danny spent 15 years working as a supervisor at Crescent Park, a role he truly enjoyed. He took pride in his work, valued his responsibilities, and was proud of how far he advanced before retiring in 2015.
Anyone who knew Danny knew his lighthearted spirit. He was a natural jokester, loved being the center of attention, and had a gift for making people laugh. He was equally known for his caring heart. Danny had a deep appreciation for nature, convinced the birds chirped back at him, and he delighted in feeding chipmunks right from his hand. He found peace in simply watching the world move, feeling the breeze, and soaking in the moment. At the same time, he was surprisingly tech-savvy, always keeping up with the latest gadgets and innovations.
Danny and Paulette shared a love for adventure, especially their many tent-camping trips to the Badlands of South Dakota, memories he treasured deeply.
In his younger years, Danny enjoyed playing the drums and guitar. He stayed active throughout his life, bowling in leagues, lifting weights, running, and jogging. Above all, he was a generous man who loved children, especially his own and his grandchildren who brought him endless joy and pride.
Danny is survived by his children, Dawn (Tony) Pyfferoen, Christine (Eric) Kneeskern, and Freddie (Benita) O’Dell; grandchildren, Desirae, Jonathan, Caden, Justin, Alissa, Sky, Max, Mia, and Keane; great-grandchildren, Nolyn, Aurora, Maverick, Emeri, Myles, and one more baby on the way; and siblings, Gary O’Dell, Julie (Tony) Scalise, and Kathy Greenawalt; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Paulette, and his sister, Pam Richardson.
Danny will be remembered for his humor, his heart, his love of life, and the way he made ordinary moments feel special just by being himself.
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