Emma Rose O'Dell

Emma Rose Friemel O’Dell, 96, peacefully passed into eternity on Saturday, November 25, 2023.

Born September 30, 1927, to Joseph and Emma Friemel in Umbarger, Texas, Emma met James Walter “J. W.” O’Dell, a farm hand working for her father.  The couple married in Umbarger on October 11, 1948, and shared 50 years together prior to his death on December 8, 1998.

A devout Catholic, Emma looked forward to Friemel family reunions and St. Mary’s Catholic Church German Sausage festivals in Umbarger.  She attended St. Laurence and St. Hyacinth’s Catholic Churches.  An avid gardener, she was blessed with a green thumb.  She was a devoted wife and mother and loved spending time with family and cooking for family gatherings.  She enjoyed (winning) playing cards, Dominos, and Bingo.  An enthusiastic Texas Rangers fan, she watched every game and refused to watch any other game that did not include the Rangers.  She appreciated old country music, and any other music was just noise.

Emma is preceded in death by her husband, J. W. O’Dell; son, Ron O’Dell; granddaughter, Breezy O’Dell; sons-in-law, Richard Bean and Ronnie Bebout; brothers, George, Elmer, A. R. Friemel; sisters, Gertrude Friemel and Dale Bolte.

Emma is survived by sister, Christina Wilhelm; daughters, Debbie Bean, Karen Schmidt and husband Mike, and Michelle Bebout; sons Mark O’Dell and wife Cindy, Dwaine O’Dell, and daughter-in-law, Ruby O’Dell, (Ron’s widow); 17 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Emma O’Dell to the Dementia Society of America by mail to PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901, or online at www.DementiaSociety.org/donate