Michael Francis “Odie” O’Dell, 77, of Helena, Montana, crossed over on February 21, 2026, at the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center after an extended illness. Mike was born in Claremore, Oklahoma, on August 28, 1948, to Ada “Meeks sah quah” Levier. He was later adopted by Orville and Agnes (Burke) O’Dell. He spent his early childhood in Topeka, Kansas, before moving with his parents to Helena. Mike attended St. Helena Grade School and graduated from Helena Catholic Central High School in 1966.
A proud veteran, Mike served in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. After returning home to Helena, he married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Screnar, in 1971. Together they raised three children: Darcy (1972), Jennifer (1975), and Mark (1980). Weekend breakfasts were his specialty, especially French toast and omelets, though his family lovingly teased him that he never quite mastered fried eggs, add an Odie-ism here – “the mustard fell off the dog.” We loved him despite that minor inability to fry an egg.
Mike worked for many years as a service technician for Capital Office Equipment & Design, where he was known for his skill, reliability, and easygoing humor. Mike coached Small Fry Football. He loved basketball and played several years in the city basketball league. Mike and Nancy played softball together for more than 10 years.
Did you know Mike was a car guy? His love of cars began early and never faded. As a young man he built and drove jalopies; the kind of rigs that would “get up and go,” stopping was optional. Family lore includes a Model A left in a creek near Clancy after one such adventure. Parking with enthusiasm!
When his children were young, Mike was an active member of the Frontier Four Wheelers Club, and his Jeep seemed to change colors every year. Later he returned to his hot‑rod roots, hand‑building a Model T Roadster with the help of friends. With a big‑block Chevy engine and the widest rear tires he could find, that car launched the family into many years with the Helena Street Rodders: car shows, hot rods, and lifelong friendships.
Eventually the drag‑racing bug bit. Mike and his son Mark purchased a rail and went racing, with the whole family in tow. The cars got faster, the team grew, and racing took Mike across the Pacific Northwest.
His final project was the restoration of an Oldsmobile 442 convertible. Friends and family poured their love into helping him complete it. Even as illness advanced, Mike was determined to debut the car at one last show, and he did.
Mike was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, honoring his heritage throughout the later years of his life.
He is survived by his loving wife Nancy; his children Darcy, Jennifer, and Mark; grandchildren Mya Billman, Jenna O’Dell, and Jayden O’Dell; great‑grandchildren Bristal and Martha; and his beloved fur baby and driving partner Little Deuce Coupe. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Orville and Agnes O’Dell; his mother Ada Levier; his in‑laws Luke and Eva (Helfert) Screnar; his sisters Rita Finch and Mary (Vic) Beneventi; and his brothers Leonard Taylor, Gary Buskirk, and Edgar Levier.
He was a friend to so many people that you always had to add time to every outing to stop and chat with someone…or five. Mike will be remembered for his love of family, his humor, his craftsmanship, his warrior’s heart, and the way he carried his passions—cars, family, and heritage—with pride. As Odie would say, “It’s time to blow‑out of this soda pop stand,” and knowing him, he probably left a little rubber on the way out.
The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers of the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center for the last seven months of compassionate and dignified care Mike received.
Visitation of the family will be held on Monday, March 2 from 4:00pm–6:00pm at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at noon at the Cathedral of St. Helena, with a reception afterward in the Brondel Center. The Rite of Committal with Military Honors will take place at the Montana State Veteran Cemetery on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at approximately 3:00pm, where he will be laid to rest with gratitude for his service.
The family invites members of the hot rod community to drive their classics in a procession from the Cathedral of St. Helena to the Montana State Veterans Cemetery in one last cruise to honor Odie; the procession will depart from the Cathedral at approximately 2:30p.m.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday March 2, 2026
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday March 3, 2026
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana
Funeral Reception
Immediately following Funeral Mass
Tuesday March 3, 2026
Brondel Center located in the lower level of the Cathedral
,
Burial with Military Honors
Approximately 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday March 3, 2026
Memorial Shelter at Montana State Veteran Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday March 2, 2026
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday March 3, 2026
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana
Funeral Reception
Immediately following Funeral Mass
Tuesday March 3, 2026
Brondel Center located in the lower level of the Cathedral
,
Burial with Military Honors
Approximately 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday March 3, 2026
Memorial Shelter at Montana State Veteran Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Terry Harris says
So sorry to hear about Mike, not only was he my brother in law but he worked for me for over 25 years. To Nancy and the kids know that my prayers are with you. RIP Mike
Sandra Owens says
So sorry to hear that Mike passed away. I know he will be missed by every one. I send my thoughts and prayers to Nancy and the family. RIP Mike. 🙏
Robert Warren says
So sorry to hear about Mike’s passing. He was a very good man. Will be missed thoughts and prayers to Nancy and family.
Terry Thomas says
My condolences to the family. I’ll never forget Oddie and the T Bucket rides all over Montana. So much fun to be around that man! Rip my friend!!!
Jennell Hazen Perros says
Nancy, Darcy, Jenny, Mark & family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I will always remember all the fun car shows with the T bucket and races with the dragster fondly. Thinking of you all!
With love, Jennell & Nick Perros
Peggy Fine says
When i worked at 1st Presbyterian church in the late 80’s he would come to fix my copier! A very competent man. I’m sure he will be missed! My sympathy to his family!!
Rich and Susan Proul says
Nancy and family… we are so saddened to hear of Odies passing. What a truly wonderful person who was always so full of life and loved everyone in their own way. Our condolences to you all and may his memory stay close in all your hearts forever. RIP our friend … 💜
Robert and Belinda Humphrey says
To the family we are so sorry to hear about his passing especially to mark and family! Did not know much about him but I am sure he was a great guy always friendly when we saw him! Sending love hugs and prayers to all of you!!
Don Mullin says
My first meeting of Mike was at the Montana City Grill a new to me outing with fellow “car people.” Mike introduced himself as Mike O’Dell and I had a coworker with the same name. We sort of laughed at that then we found at we both were working in the same type of business, Mike worked for Terry Harris at Capitol Office Equipment and I was working for the late Loren Davis at Davis Business Machines, you can’t make this up. Did we become friends? Yup, also Vietman veteran buddies.
I Salute you my brother, and welcome home. Rest in eternal peace.
Maggi Corbett says
Nancy and family, I am so sorry to read of Mike’s death. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Maggi McKinnon Corbett
Steve Kasperick says
So sorry to read about Mike’s passing. Mike was a fellow classmate and a good friend when we were both young and attended St. Helena grade school.
Lawrence R. (Larry) Boice says
So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He was a great high school classmate.
Kevin Collins says
Oh Boy! Well Mike may you rest in Peace!, I first met Mike in high school in 67/69, Then got to know him later with the Car club, Just a great kind person, He was Pleasure to be around, Until me meet again! May the Good Lord Bless and Keep you! , themt-1
Bobbie Scott says
My heart goes out to Mike’s family. I met Mike many, many years ago at one of the first car shows I went to. Great memories of Mike in his T Bucket. He was one of the nicest guys always friendly when I would see him over the years. Prayers for his family during this difficult time.
Denise Cook says
Nancy and family,
Odie will be missed by many. He was a super nice guy. I got a short ride from him in his bucket car and it was a blast. I hope he is at peace. Prayers to Nancy and family as you mourn a wonderful man. May the memories spent with Odie heal your hearts.
Michael Norris says
Mike was a great guy, i worked with him for about 20 years, Always willing to help with my car problems when ever they came up. Missed all his stories he would share with me when he retired . It was a honor to of known mike. Nancy and family my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Rick Broadwater says
My condolences to Nancy and the family. Spent many years in the car club and car shows with this guy. Always a gentleman and forever diplomat of the car scene. Will always remember Odie doing the “Monster Mash”. Truly sad news and I will miss him deeply, Rest in Peace Odie!
Niel and Ginny Helfert says
Nancy and family sorry for your loss Mike was a great person may he rest in peace.
Kathy Dagel says
This is such a great loss, he was such a nice man.Always ready to help a friend. We all had so much fun with the Helena Street Rod club and made many life long friends. Odie was one of the best he will be missed.
Laura Hildenstab says
We had a lot of fun times with Odie and Nancy traveling to events with the car club, cruising, and many other get togethers. We will definitely miss him stopping by to shoot the breeze and hang out in the garage. He was a good friend.
Laura and Jim Hildenstab
Ann Nickel says
Nancy, Darcy, Jenny, and Mark,
I am so sorry to read about Mike’s death. Holding your family up in prayers.
Jackie Laverdiere says
Nancy and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Odie was such a kind and gentle man.
His community will miss him. Shiny side up Mike!
Sharon Smith says
Nancy, Darcie, Jennifer, Mark we are so very sorry for your loss!! Mike was a wonderful friend! We have so many wonderful memories of you all and our heart hurts! You are in our thoughts and prayers hugs to you all! Randy and Sharon Smith
Stephen says
My earliest recollections of Mike is of a big but very gentle man. Most recent memories are of a big man with a big heart. My thoughts and prayers are with all his life touched.
Mike and Mary Lloyd says
Nancy and family, we are so sorry for your loss. He really was the best. Fun times and great memories. He will be so missed by all of us. RIP our friend. Say hi to all the street rodders who beat you there!
Kathy Strobel says
Nancy,
So sorry to hear about Mike. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Judy Bryson Lynch says
Mike was a great friend of my twin brother in grade school and high school. He had a hearty laugh and wonderful sense of humor.They had lots of advenures toghter. I’m so sorry for all your family and friends
Judy Gardner says
Nancy, I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. May he rest in peace. My prayers are with you.
Dan Altmaier says
Grew up with Darcy in the 80s, and I remember Mike as a big, gentle giant who loved and built cars. Sorry for your loss Darcy, we lost our Dad two years ago. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Marty Heller says
Mike was one of the wonderful coaches that we had for our Capital Sports Small Fry Football team that was so dominant for several years. Thank you Mike. RIP
Vickie LaFountaine says
Nancy & Family: We were so shocked and saddened to here about Mike! We send our deepest condolences. May you treasure all of your happiest memories!
Curt and Vickie LaFountaine