Birdie Mae Oden, 93, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at the Russell Regional Hospital.
Birdie was born on October 11, 1930 in Marienthal, Kansas, the daughter of Walter Edward and Ivry Lea (Harkness) Hall. She grew up in Sterling, Sylvia and permanently moved to Stafford, Kansas. The family moved to Stafford due to her father’s farming career. She graduated from Stafford High School. After high school she attended the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing for 1 year. It was while she was attending nursing school she met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Walter J. Oden, Jr. They were married on September 24, 1949, in Hutchinson, Kansas. From this union they were blessed with 4 children, daughters Connie Sue, Linda Ann and Stacey Lea and a son Walter Bruce. The family moved to Russell, Kansas, in 1952 where Birdie worked as a homemaker and was a devoted wife and mother. She was a longtime member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Russell, Kansas. She volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Birdie truly enjoyed the time she spent with friend Pat Stielow whether she was helping on their ranch or helping with the Otterbein Methodist Church Kid’s Club. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, being outdoors and being very involved with her kids activities. Most of all she enjoyed spending time and taking care of her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include her daughter Connie S. Brack and husband Leon of Iola, Kansas, Linda A. Tittel of Wilson, Kansas, son Walter Bruce Oden and wife Shelley of Russell, Kansas, and daughter Stacey L. Frimmel and husband Troy of Wilson, Kansas; 10 Grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Walter on July 17, 2004; brothers John Hall, Henry H. Hall, Donald F. Hall, and sister Waunita MacMillan.
Celebration of Birdie’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. A private family burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials have been established with the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.