Jean Odbert, 88, of Overland Park, Kansas, formerly of North Platte, peacefully passed away at home on March 12, 2019 at Overland Park, Kansas. Jean was born on March 8, 1931 to Harry J. Hameloth and Emma E. Harold Hameloth in Grand Island, Nebraska. She grew up on their farm and graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1948.
She worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, where she met and later married Richard Gordon Odbert of Lone Pine, Nebraska on July 29, 1966. She later attended beauty school but found her interest in law enforcement. Jean was among some of the first deputized women in the State of Nebraska, and was a deputy sheriff in Grand Island, Nebraska.
The family relocated to North Platte, Nebraska in 1972 opening Odbert’s Chocolate Shop, and there she also began working for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Here she dutifully served the people of Lincoln County for a full career, retiring as office manager. In post-retirement she later worked for a receptionist for Midlands Family Practice.
She is survived by her three sons, Michael (Patricia) Spencer of Carroll, Iowa, Darryn Odbert and Donald Jochum of Overland Park, Kansas, and Richard B. (Kati) Odbert of Columbus, Nebraska; and one sister-in-law, Jean Hameloth of St. Paul, Nebraska; six grandchildren: Jeff Spencer, Amber Podraza, Andrea (fiance Derek Barrett) Odbert, Emmie (Josh) Whitmore, Gracie Odbert, and Chloe Odbert; as well as five great grandchildren, Brenden, Aiden, and Caylen Podraza, Chloe Spencer and Henry Richard Whitmore.
She was preceded in death by her husband Richard G. (Dick), parents, and two brothers, Gordon and Harold Hameloth.
Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 18, 2019 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Dennis Leitner officiating. Burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, NE. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Visitation with family receiving friends will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in care of arrangements.