Marjorie Louise (Odegard) Nishek

Marjorie Louise (Odegard) Nishek

Marjorie Louise (Odegard) Nishek was born on April 30, 1941, to the parents of Margaret and Orlando Odegard of Buxton, N.D. The first of five children, Marj attended a one-room country schoolhouse where (for eight years) she was the only student in her grade. Marj later graduated with honors from Climax (Minn.) High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from North Dakota State University, where she was editor of the college newspaper and served on numerous campus committees.

On Oct. 19, 1962, Marj married Wayne Ellis Nishek of Ellendale, N.D. Together they raised three amazing children. Douglas (and Laura) Nishek of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Samuel (and Dena) Nishek of Boulder, Colo., and Shoba Nishek of Spokane, Wash. Shortly after their marriage, Marj and Wayne joined the Peace Corps and were among the first of Peace Corps volunteers to leave America. They ultimately made Peace Corps their career having served as volunteers and trainers. Their assignments took them to Bolivia, India, Lesotho and Tanzania and later became Country Directors of The Gambia. In addition to her Peace Corps work, Marj was employed by the American Embassy in Africa.

Back in the United States, she held an ongoing interest in the Global Missions and served on the Lutheran Synod Global Missions committee. Marj led her local Global Missions committee faithfully, taking care of many details and keeping it on track. One of many notable projects was building a dining hall/computer center for a school in Africa, which was her labor of love. Through Marj’s involvement with numerous countries around the world, she developed a deep love and respect for people of all nations.

Marjorie was treasurer of her beloved Trinity Lutheran Church in Bonners Ferry; she was a friend to many and dear to everyone who knew her. The love she had for her family was abundant, as was her natural ability to bring out only the best in people. Among her survivors are her husband, her three children, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren — Hannah, Heath and Ellie. Survivors also include her siblings and their spouses Gary and Rita Odegard, Buxton, N.D., Karen (Odegard) and Glenn Strand, New Prague, Minn., Ilene Odegard, Buxton, N.D., and Cheryl Odegard and John Larson, St. Paul, Minn., as well as many loved nieces, nephews and cousins.

May God’s Eternal light continue to shine on our dear Marj, who was a beautiful and inspiring wife, mother, sister, cousin, aunt and friend. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.