Joseph William Francis Oden

Joseph William Frances Oden 81 years of Saint Paul, Minnesota formerly of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

After much pain and suffering, Joe slipped away peacefully early in the morning of May 25th 2026 as I held him in my arms.

Above all else Joe will be remembered as a very devout Christian, a Catholic, a Godly man who spent his life serving the Lord. Joe spent many years as an altar server at St. Agnes church. Everyday of the week he arrived at 6:00am to unlock the church, turn on the lights, and light candles for the 7:00am mass. That included Sundays until he was no longer able.

Joe prayed the rosary everyday along with silent prayers through out the day.

Joe began his career as a photographer in Vietnam, yes... a Canadian who volunteered to go to war for the USA. He spent his tour traveling back and forth across Vietnam as a photographer for the Stars and Stripes, the Fire Base 173, and the Army reporter - all military newspapers. While carrying his big gun and his camera. 

When Joe received his honorable discharge from the Army, he went to the dispatch at the Pioneer Press to get assistance in creating a portfolio using the photos from Vietnam. They did him one better and hired him. That was the beginning of Joe's 36 years of employment with the Saint Paul paper.

Joe's passion was his love of God and his faith; volunteering for the Sisters of St. Peter Claver. Joe enjoyed making BBQ sauce using his father's recipe. His father had a very successful BBQ restaurant in Winnipeg; Joe even built his own smoker in his backyard. 

Joe was a master chess player, if there was no one to challenge him he would play both sides of the board alone. Joe liked to laugh, and joke with friends using his dry humor. Joe was very generous and just all around friendly guy.

Joe was preceded in death by, his father, William Frances Oden and mother, Walda Henry.

Joe is survived by; wife, Vicki, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

 A heartfelt thank you to his friend, Kurt Virna, Rebecca Lorenz, Susan Rumlinson, Dennis Hagen, niece, Donna Sandberg and nephew, Paul Harper; along with the hospice nurses at Our Lady of Peace and the Sisters of St. Peter Claver.