Obituary of Ardis J. O'Dell

Ardis J. O’Dell, age 99, of Iowa City died Monday, April 13, 2026, at her home comforted by her daughter and son-in-law and under the compassionate care of Iowa City Hospice.

Ardis Jean Paulson was born April 29, 1926, in rural Story County, Iowa the daughter of Martin and Melba (Darling) Paulson.  Following graduation from high school in Ames she enrolled in the nursing program at Broadlawns Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, beginning a career in nursing that spanned over 40 years.

Leaving Des Moines, she began her first job as a staff nurse at the United States Indian Hospital in Tacoma, Washington in 1948.  From here, in 1950 she enlisted in the United States Air Force as a nurse who became 2nd Lieutenant and later Captain serving in Washington State, England and California.  In 1952, she was discharged from active duty but remained in the Air Reserve until 1958.  In 1953, Ardis married Willard C. O’Dell Jr.  From that union were born two daughters, Deborah Juno and Crystal Jean. 

While in the Air Reserve, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she worked and also obtained her B.S. degree in Nursing on her GI bill from Arizona State University.  She worked as a nursing supervisor, and also was an instructor in the School of Nursing program in Phoenix.  In 1966, she moved to Iowa City and received her Masters degree in 1968 at the University of Iowa.  She then joined the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics as a Clinical Nursing Specialist and also was an assistant professor and did research.  In 1976, Ardis became the Director of the School of Nursing for St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.  She held this position until the program ended in 1984.  Ardis earned her Doctorate in Education in 1986 at the University of Iowa.  She finished her working life at Indiana State University as Assistant Professor of the Graduate Nursing Program, retiring in 1993.

Over the years, Ardis received numerous awards and recognitions, including her published works within her profession.  One of her proudest publications was her memoirs, done later in life, while attending the Write Your Life Stories class at the Senior Center.  Outside her professional career, she took great pleasure in traveling to all 50 states, some 64 countries and taking 17 cruises.  She enjoyed time in her garden, collecting, reading and discussing books with her son-in-law, playing Rummikub and Scrabble, exercise class at the Senior Center, attending church at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, and the many friends she made through work and various activities.  But nothing compared to the joy that her family brought her.

Her family includes her daughter and son-in-law, Deborah & Stuart Karlin; and her grandson and his wife, Jay and Karina Karlin; and her two great-grandchildren, Madison and Ethan.

Ardis was preceded in death by her daughter, Crystal; her sister, Neva; and her former husband, Willard C. O’Dell Jr.

Services celebrating Ardis’s life will be held on Wednesday, April 29th at 1pm at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City.  Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery at a later date.  Memorial donations can be made in her honor to Iowa City Hospice to continue to support families of this area.