Odvin Bertin Fure, age 102, formerly of Kiester, Minn., died on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, Minn. Funeral Services and interment will be held Monday, March 13, 2006, at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Kiester. The Rev. Chris Fiske will officiate. Visitation will be held at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells on Saturday, March 11, 2006, from 3 to 6 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.

Odvin Bertin Fure (Dec. 22, 1903) was the first of eleven children born to Clemet and Anna (Flo) Fure. He spent most of his life in Winnebago County, Iowa. He attended a rural school in Eden Township and was an active and faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Odvin gained experience in agriculture by working for other farmers. He took pride in owning one of the first Model T Fords. The social life of the young people revolved around church activities. It was at a &8220;basket social&8221; that he met Norma Sime who later became his wife, Dec. 12, 1926. The wedding and reception took place at her home, also in Winnebago County.

Odvin and Norma began their lives together on a farm in Minnesota. Together they educated themselves about appropriate use of the land and the most favorable farming ventures. They lived on three farms before moving to Norma’s &8220;home place&8221; near Scarville, Iowa in 1939. Odvin and Norma balanced their hard work with travel to other parts of the United States, and also to Europe. As they matured, they became &8220;snow birds&8221; in Mission, Texas. For more than thirty years, they enjoyed dancing, card playing, and potlucks. Odvin’s family appreciated him for the way he conducted his life. He modeled in countless ways: honesty, gratitude, moderation, devotion to family, good humor, and an unwavering faith.

He is survived by five children: Janice Keller of Plano, Texas, Clarice (husband Gene) Herrick of White Bear Lake, Minn., Owen (wife Roberta) Fure of Lake Elmo, Minn., Norman (wife Nancy) Fure of Tucson, Ariz., Stanley (wife DiAnn) Fure of Bella Vista, Ariz.; 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; six siblings, Bernet Isaacson of Owatonna, Minn., Glen Fure of Kiester, Minn., Percing &8220;Cap&8221; (wife Jackie) Fure of Avon Park, Fla., Berdell Trytten of Kiester, Minn., Wilma (husband Donald) Thompson of Kerrville, Texas, Wilmer &8220;Bill&8221; (wife Margaret) Fure of Fairbault, Minn., and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Norma in 1994, two grandchildren, and four siblings: Sarah Elvebak, Luverne Fure, Josephine Lockrem, and Jenning Fure.