Joi Courtney O’Dell
Joi Courtney O’Dell, 28, of Minneapolis, died on Sunday, July 7, 2013, in Minneapolis. She was born March 5, 1985, in Waconia, Minn., to William D. and Mary S. (Merritt) O’Dell.
She moved with her family to Rogers, Ark., when she was three. Her spiritual birthday was May 30, 1997.
At age 20, she moved to Minneapolis and lived at a Christian community home called The Green House run by her cousin, Jon, and his wife, Bliss. Their mission is to be a Christ-centered community that values personal and spiritual growth, healing, restoration, and that desires to share this with others through hospitality and acts of service. “Love God, Love People, Grow the World.”
Creative writing was a love of hers, from being known for her sweet and artistic letters she mailed to all the people she knew, to publishing a book she wrote, “Kohara, The White Veiled City.”
She was a licensed massage therapist. She graduated from White River Massage School in Fayetteville, Ark. And even though she was known for her amazing massages, she was even better known for her work in the community. She had a ministry for people, especially children. She truly left her legacy of love, and had a real caring and loving spirit.
She was preceded in death by her infant brother, Joshua O’Dell; grandparents, Fred and Mary Helen Merritt, George Nelson; uncle, Rusty O’Dell; cousin, Nathan Benson.
Survivors include her father, Dave O’Dell of Rogers, Ark.; mother, Susan O’Dell of Rogers, Ark.; sisters, Jill O’Dell of Howard Lake, Jacque O’Dell-Combs of Rogers, Ark.; grandparents, Barbara Nelson of Watertown, Bill and Connie O’Dell of Brooklyn Center; aunts and uncles, Allen and Barbara Merritt of Rogers, Ark., Phil Merritt of Rogers, Ark., Steve Merritt of Rogers, Ark., Joe and Jeri Merritt of Pryor, Okla., Linda and Bob Benson of Watertown, Steve and Kathy O’Dell of Watertown, Leanne and Mike Weyrick of Fort Smith, Ark., George and Channing Nelson of Pineville, Mo.; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was from 1-3 p.m. Sunday at the church.
Funeral service was at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2013, at the Watertown Evangelical Free Church in Watertown, with the Rev. Paul Kling officiating.
Interment was in Watertown Public Cemetery.
Arrangements are with the Johnson Funeral Home in Waconia, Minn., 952-4422121, www.johnsonfh.com.