Gaylon Lee Odland

Gaylon Lee Odland, 63, of Spicer, died Saturday, January 4th peacefully at his home in Spicer, after a 2 month battle with pancreatic cancer.  His memorial service will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, January 11th at Cross Roads Community United Methodist Church in Spicer. Visitation will be 5-7:00 pm, Friday at Johnson Funeral Home in New London. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Gaylon Lee Odland was born on October 17, 1961, to Leonard and Junice (Ennenga) Odland in Willmar. He graduated from Willmar High School in 1979. In October of 1982, Gaylon married Tammie Haven, and together they had two daughters. In 1998, Gaylon met Debra Ruppe, with whom he spent the next 26 years of his life. Gaylon worked as a truck driver for the family business, hauling mail for 25 years. In 2001, he purchased Dassel Sports and Marine and also worked for West Central Chemical. In recent years, he returned to the family trucking business and helped his friend Larry Bruess with his own business. Driving trucks was Gaylon’s lifelong passion.

Gaylon had a love for speed and adventure, enjoying riding motorcycles, four-wheelers, snowmobiles, and racing. He also had a passion for deer hunting, attending Sturgis, and listening to music. Gaylon was known for his vibrant personality—always the life of the party, an instigator who could make anyone laugh. His greatest pride was his two daughters, whom he loved deeply and always ensured they were well taken care of.

Gaylon is survived by his mother, Junice Odland; fiancée, Deb Ruppe; his daughters, Serena (Jason) Byro (son-in-law, Josh Butterfield), and their children: Kaydence, Kyah, and Kane; and Shera (Eric) Sasse, and their children: Mircea, Dasan, and Eryn. He is also survived by Scott (Jenny) Stueckrath, the son he never had; his brother, Dewayne (Deb) Odland; his sister, Lenda (Doug) Sammons; aunt, Marilyn Runnion; many nieces and nephews; and friends.

Gaylon was preceded in death by his father, Leonard.

We know as a family that anyone that knows Gaylon has a great story to tell and we hope that those fun stories carry on forever.

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