Odessa Bertha, daughter of Albert and Bertha (Grimm) Genzen, was born February 24, 1914, in Haverhill, Iowa. She was baptized that spring in Haverhill. The family moved to the Manning area when she was two years old, and she attended rural schools through the eighth grade, then Manning High School. Odessa was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning in 1931.

On November 28, 1934, Odessa was united in marriage with Delbert J. Vinke at Manning. Four children were born to this union, and Odessa was a busy homemaker. Over the years she also worked at L&R Nelson in Manning, Preibe's, and as a waitress at the Corner Café in Manning.

Odessa was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning and active in the Ladies' Guild. She was also involved in the Aspinwall Ladies' Aid group. Most of all, Odessa loved to be with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Delbert died in October of 2000, and Odessa lived for a time in the Terrace Apartments before becoming a resident of the Manning Plaza nursing home. After a short stay at the Manning Regional Healthcare Center, Odessa died there on Sunday, December 9, 2007, at the age of 93 years, 9 months, and 15 days.

Besides her parents and husband, Odessa was preceded in death by daughters Shirley Schwiesow and Sandi Lisle; son Allen Vinke; grandsons Duane Schwiesow and Jerrad Lisec, in infancy; brothers Lester, Virgil, Ivan, Arthur, Robert and Elmer Vinke; and sister Lucille Pfannkuch.

Odessa is survived by son Clifford Vinke and wife Beverly of Winslow, ME; daughter-in-law Ruby Vinke of Raytown, MO; son-in-laws Don Lisec of Wilber, Nebraska, and Roger Schwiesow and wife Connie of Harlan; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister LaVonne Gehlsen of Manning; sisters-in-law Irene Genzen of Manilla and Donna Genzen of Blominton, IL; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.