Address
Locke on 4th
1519 W 4th St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
Mary L. Odekirk, 92, of Waterloo, died on Monday, March 2, 2026, at MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center under hospice care.
Mary was born on July 7, 1933, in New Hampton, to Irwin L. and Grace M. (Kalkbrenner) Jepson. She graduated from New Hampton High School in 1951. On September 25, 1960, she married Wayne R. Odekirk in New Hampton; he preceded her in death on April 24, 2015.
After graduating high school, Mary worked at the First National Bank in New Hampton for 6 years. When Wayne and Mary started their family, Mary spent her time raising their 3 children. She enjoyed reading and spending time golfing and bowling with Wayne. Mary and Wayne became members of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1961 where she served as past president of Ruth Circle, served on the condolence committee, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday School.
She is also preceded in death by her parents, stepmother, Esther Jepson, and brother, Don Jepson.
Mary is survived by her sons, Steven (Nancy) Odekirk of Charleston, WV and David (Carol) Odekirk of Waterloo; daughter, Amy (Roy) Dominguez of Berwyn, IL; 6 grandchildren, Connor Odekirk, Lily Odekirk, Taylor (Ryan) D’Eliseo, Spencer Odekirk, Logan Odekirk, and Alec Dominguez; sister, Grace (Jim) Graves of Waterloo; sister-in-law, Donna Jepson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation and Funeral Service: Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 810 Kimball Ave, Waterloo. Funeral Service to follow at 12:00 p.m. Burial to take place at Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Locke at Tower Park is serving the family. Please visit lockefuneralservices.com to offer your condolences.
Funeral Service
March 28, 2026
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
810 Kimball Ave, Waterloo, IA
Visitation
March 28, 2026
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
810 Kimball Ave, Waterloo, IA
So many childhood memories with both Mary & Wayne. Many a donuts shared with Wayne after church and so many conversations with Mary! The 65+ years they dedicated to Zion Lutheran Church is a legacy to be proud of. Thank you for the special role you played in my life growing up in Zion, while Amy & I were roommates for 4 yrs and then as we all went on to spread our wings and start our own families. I can still hear your voice now…..Oh Wayne! Sending love from New Mexico to all of you as you say good bye to a small but mighty lady!
David and family, we are sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I don’t know if you remember me or not, I worked for Dr. Robert C Hansen Jr. DDS for along time. My Husband worked for Crossroads and got to know your mom there. I loved your Mom and enjoyed our many visits over the years. Oh how she loved her kids and grandkids, you were all her pride and joy! Many all those memories help easy your sorrow. May she rest in peace. Sorry we could not attend today.
Amy and family. We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful mother. Condolences to the Odekirk family. May God grant you peace and comfort during this difficult time. I have pleasant memories of Mary. Especially the one where we went to walk around the track and I almost collapsed because she walked to fast for me and I much younger than she. She challenged me as I tried to keep up with her. She laughed at me as I gasped for air. She was direct and a funny spirited lady. She will be missed. She is with God. May she rest in peace
I would like to express my sincere condolences to Steven, David, Amy, and the entire Odekirk family. Mary was a wonderful aunt and I have many fond memories of her. She was always there for everyone and never failed to remember everyone at the important times. She was a great sister to my dad Don and a good friend to my mom Donna. She will be greatly missed.
Mary was like a second Mother to me. She welcomed me into her family to play games and made a point to really know you. She had real conversations that you could tell you mattered to her. She was very present and had conversations at a deeper level that encouraged a closeness that I feel blessed to have had. She attended all the important things and brought an energy and a laugh I will always treasure. She loved her family with her whole heart and you could feel that love. Just thinking about her makes me smile. Sending my love to the entire Odekirk family and sympathy. I love you all.
I grew up with Amy and can attest that when it came to events at Zion, Mary either planned it or took part in rolling it out. VBS every summer, special Christmas choir concerts from the elementary students, ski trips every winter, a Lutheran conference in Texas, painting a church in Mexico, middle school dances in Zion’s basement, sleepovers in Zion’s basement, Sunday School for teens in the tentmaker’s house next door, Confirmation. I can still picture Mary in the basement kitchen, making meals for funerals, sewing banners for babies, providing coffee & donuts for the congregation, ringing the bells to familiar songs during church service, annual handwritten Christmas cards, attending all of Amy’s friend’s weddings, etc. Mary was always very others-focused. It’s especially evident in how successful her children became—both with their own families & through their contributions in the community. Well Done, Mary, for a life well-lived.