Elizabeth "Betty" Getz Odegaard

Elizabeth L. Getz Odegaard, 88, Fargo, ND, passed away on May 3, 2015 at Villa Maria in Fargo under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Elizabeth Louise Lewis was born on May 28th, 1926 in Bismarck, ND.   She was the firstborn of Harry and Verna (Menge) Lewis. Betty spent her early years in Beulah, ND until the family moved to Bismarck.   She graduated from Bismarck High School in 1944 and recently celebrated her 70th high school class reunion! She attended Bismarck Junior College and North Dakota State University where she received a degree in Pharmacy in 1948. GO BISON!! Betty married Robert "Bob" Getz in June 1948 and they raised 3 children in McVille, ND. In 1962, they moved to Grafton, ND after purchasing their second drugstore. Bob died in a tragic car accident in 1968. Betty continued to work and manage the drugstores in Grafton, McVille, and Park River. In 1972, she married Doug Odegaard. Betty acquired additional drugstores in Larimore and Devils Lake. She ran for the ND House of Representatives and the ND State Senate in the 1970's. Her slogan for the state senate was "Ready for Betty". She was selected by Harvard University to attend their "Small Company Management Program". Betty was a member of the ND State Board of Pharmacy in the early '70's. Betty and Doug loved to travel and visited many European countries including the Soviet Union and the British Isles. Music was a very important part of Betty's life. She was also an avid sports fan. Betty loved spending time with family and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jim Lewis; and sister, Marge Drosky. "Grandma Betty" is survived by husband, Doug Odegaard; her brother, Robert Lewis, Los Angeles, CA; her children, Linda Getz-Kleiman (Ted Kleiman) of Fargo, Bob (Lona) Getz of Fargo, and Lucinda (Susan Snyder) Getz of Seattle, WA; grandchildren - Marisa Larsen, Kathryn (Ron) Norby, Caleb (Amanda) Getz, Lucy (Jay) Jolstad; great-grandchildren - Dylan, Evan, Dominick, Koen, Max and Marley; stepchildren - Steve (Diane) Odegaard of Fargo, Lori (Mike) Sorteberg of Thief River Falls, MN, Julie (Brian) Hersch of Casselton, ND, David (Jan) Odegaard of West Fargo, ND, Dan (Lana) Odegaard of International Falls, MN and Doug (Michel Ann) Odegaard of St Petersburg, FL; grandchildren - Kali (Josh) Wachter, Chelsey Odegaard, Lisa (Ryan) Schlosser, Sean (Amanda) Sorteberg, Garrett Foss, Jordan and Chandler Hersch, Bailey and Katie Odegaard, Anders (Carissa), Gretta and Gunnar Odegaard, Samantha and Dakota Odegaard; great-grandchildren - Noah, Beau and Eli; Owen and Levi. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to CHI Riverview or Hospice of the Red River Valley.