PORTAGE  -- Odene J. Almerli, age 61, of Portage, died on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at Divine Savior Healthcare Hospital.

Odene was born on November 12, 1948 in Adams, Wisconsin, the daughter of Harley “Bud” and Betty (Marshall) Evans.  She was married on September 11, 1965 in Wisconsin Dells to Lamont “Dutch” Almerli.  He preceded her in death on May 14, 2002.

She is survived by her children, Todd (Laurie) Almerli, Portage, and Tanya (Sotirios) Kirkikis, Portage;  her grandson, Garrett Thiessen, Washington;  her great-granddaughter, McKenzie;  her mother-in-law, Dolores Almerli, North Freedom;  her sisters- and brothers-in-law, Rita Almerli, North Freedom, Gary (Billie) Almerli, North Freedom, Deborah Stainback, Baraboo, and Mark Almerli, North Freedom;  two sisters;  many loving nieces and nephews, other relatives and dear friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Dutch, her brother, Ken Evans, her sister, Sue Thiessen, her father-in-law, Lyle Almerli, a niece, Carrie Mickelson, and a brother-in-law, John Stainback.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, with the Rev. Alan Boeck officiating.  Burial will follow in Welsh Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 30, 2010 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Gerald Krumpos and dear, dear friends, John & Pat Wenzel, Dennis & Jean O’Keefe, and Terry & Jan Drexler for all they have done for the Almerli family.