Mark Odelberg

Mark William Odelberg, age 67, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on October 29, 2022.

Mark inspired people with his strength, determination, and positive attitude throughout his entire life. He lived by faith each day with the assurance that his life was in God's hands.

He was born at St Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction, CO on March 6, 1955, to parents Emil and Ernestine (Redfield) Odelberg, who preceded him in death. As a life-long resident of Grand Junction, Mark graduated from Central High School and attended Mesa State College. He worked various jobs over his career, including over 39 years with City Market in many capacities. After leaving City Market, he was a consultant, contractor, home inspector, and ended his career with Grand Junction Housing Authority. Anyone who had the privilege of working with or for Mark knew that every task he performed was with excellence. This demonstrated his strong work ethic, attention to detail, and the integrity with which he lived his life.

He met the love of his life, and best friend, Stephanie Folsom, through church, during grade school. This August marked 45 years of marriage. Stephanie said, "It was a privilege and honor to be his wife." Other surviving family include their son, Grant (Brittany-his "#2 girl") Odelberg, sister, Coni (Steve) Wolfe, brother, Vik (Laura Odelberg), brothers in-law, sisters in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Of course, there are special friends too numerous to mention whose lives he touched. One friend commented, "Knowing Mark Odelberg is to feel loved, and you became part of the fabric of his life." Mark was a loving and caring husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. He and his son, Grant, had a very special relationship in which they spent a lot of time together. They were each other's closest friend. They considered each other more than family.

If you spent time with Mark, you were exposed to his wit and humor-no one could make us laugh like he could. He lived his life willing to take risks and try new things. He never knew a stranger. Besides being a talented musician with a beautiful voice, Mark and Stephanie's lovely yard started out as a family lot over fifty years ago with a few trees and shrubs on which they built a home. He crafted it over the years into a masterpiece with his gardening skills, hard labor, and creative art pieces. His collection of antique tools that saw previous use by family are artfully displayed. A cousin described his "tool museum" as a "holy place" honoring the past, and those who came before.

Those of us who spent time with Mark recognized that he saw and experienced God's love and presence in a deep way. He commented that God revealed to him that "it's all about Love." His desire in life was that people would see God in him and that they, too, would seek and know God's presence in their lives.

A private celebration of Mark has taken place with his family. Plans for a future celebration of Mark's life with extended family and friends will take place in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to HopeWest.