The daughter of Irvington John "I.J." and Lodieski 'Lodi' Carpenter Baltisberger, Odessa was born April 27, 1913, in Malcom, Iowa. She was raised in Malcom and was a graduate of Malcom High School. On June 2, 1934, she was married to John William Douglass, in Marshalltown and the couple farmed near Malcom for many years. She also taught at a rural school in Pleasant Township for several years and after receiving a B.A. degree at Drake University, in the early 1960's, she taught in a rural school in Sheridan Township and later in Searsboro. Odessa enjoyed her life on the farm and was involved in the daily operations of running a successful farm operation and providing a loving home for her family. Her hobbies included woodworking, reading, and sewing; and for many years she enjoyed traveling and camping. Survivors include three daughters, Elaine White of Santa Clarita, California, Charlene Vanderveer of Grinnell, and Irveen Rauch of Montezuma; one son, Gale Douglass of Killen, Alabama; ten grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and two great great-grandchildren. Odessa died August 30, 2005, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John in 1977; three children in infancy; one grandson, Stephen White; and one brother, Ronald Baltisberger.