Odie Kiviaho

Odie Mae Witt Kiviaho, “Ms. Odie,” entered the gates of heaven after peacefully passing away at her home on June 8, 2014. She was surrounded by her entire family at the time of her death. Ms. Odie was a young, eighty-two years of age. A retired United States Postal Worker, Ms. Odie was also an entrepreneur and business owner.

Filled with laughter, kindness, and joy, Ms. Odie resided in Lacombe, LA for the past fifty-two years. She was born in Benton, LA and was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-three years, Erland A. Kiviaho. Her surviving children include Sharon Ann Sandifer and husband Lee, Robert “Kivi” Kiviaho and wife Mary, Charles William Kiviaho and wife Helene, and Sherman David Kiviaho. Her surviving grandchildren are Stephen W. Kiviaho, Daniel A. Kiviaho, Krissy H. Kiviaho, Kenneth Kiviaho, and Karl Kiviaho.

Ms. Odie was preceded in death by her parents, Sherman G. Witt and Liza Jane McCauley Witt. She is also preceded in death by all five siblings, Sherman Gillam Witt, Virgil K. Witt, Wilbur W. Witt, Louise Davis, and Gertrude Teutsch. Ms. Odie spent the first thirty years of her life residing in Benton and Shreveport, LA.

Known to many people as Ms. Odie, the fondest memories held by most is that she was a woman of God, lived her life by strong convictions, was never shy about sharing her beliefs and opinions, was able to bring a smile to anyone through her genuine and kind nature, and loved working with people in need of hope and guidance. Ms. Odie was a natural business woman who realized success through diligent movement and old-fashioned hard work. She instilled these values in each of her children who she referred to as, ‘my greatest joy.”

Services are being handled by Bagnell and Son Funeral home in Covington, LA. A “Celebration of Life” service will be hosted by the Slidell Bible Chapel in Slidell, LA at 1 PM on Thursday, June 12, 2014. A funeral procession to the Mandeville Cemetery, in Mandeville, LA, will follow where Ms. Odie will be buried with her husband.