Joseph M. Odanovich

Odanovich Joseph M. "Joe"Odanovich, age 87, of Shoreview, on Feb. 5 at Presbyterian Home of Arden Hills. Alexander Ramsey Teacher & Coach. Born Jan. 22, 1916 in Ironton, MN to Mirko & Mileva (Rajacic) Odanovich, he graduated from Crosby-Ironton H.S. (1934), St. Cloud State College (1938), Univ. of MN Master's Degree (1946) and a Specialist Degree from Colorado University (1968). Joe began his coaching career at Wayzata in 1939, and then at New Prague when he enlisted in the Navy in 1942. He was a Chief Petty Officer with a rating of "Specialist A" and formed companies of raw recruits at the Great Lakes Navy Training Center. He married Constance Hughes of Lake Crystal, MN on June 19, 1942, served in the Navy until 1945 and then resided in Crosby-Ironton until 1952 where he took three teams to the state basketball finals. Joe & Connie then moved to St. Paul, taught one year at Murray H.S., then 1953-1966 coached the basketball program at Alexander-Ramsey H.S. and retired from coaching in 1966 and from teaching social studies in 1978. As an athlete at SCSU he earned 12 letters in football, basketball & baseball. He has been inducted into the Crosby-Ironton Hall of Fame as an all-around athlete, the St. Cloud State Univ. Hall of Fame, and the MN Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. He is remembered as a superb basketball player, a true sportsman, an avid reader, and a world traveler. Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Constance of Shoreview; sisters-in-law, Mary, Donna & Jane Odanovich; brother-in-law, William S. Hughes & wife Helen of Lake Crystal; and nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul, Robert & Stephen. Visitation 4-8 PM Monday & 8-9 AM Tuesday at THE ROSEVILLE MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 2245 N. Hamline Ave., 1 blk S. Hwy #36, Roseville, 651-631-2727. Funeral service 10 AM Tuesday at NORTH COMO PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 965 West Larpenteur Ave., with reception following. Interment Lake Crystal, MN. Memorials preferred.

Published on February 9, 2003