Omer Davidson, 95 of Northwood, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 25, 2024 at the Lutheran Retirement Home.

Omer D. Davidson

Funeral Services will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, September 7, at Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church, 87332 State Line Road, Glenville, MN 56036, with Rev. Becky Sogge officiating. He will be laid to rest at London Deer Creek Cemetery, rural Northwood, IA.

Visitation and public viewing will be from 4 to 7 pm, Friday, September 6, at Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 1st Ave. South, Northwood, IA.

Memorials may be directed to Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church or the Lutheran Retirement Home (Northwood).

Omer Dale Davidson was born June 22, 1929 in Albert Lea, MN, the son of David and Mary Louise (Cole) Davidson. He grew up in rural Deer Creek, attending country school until 8th grade, later graduating from high school in Northwood. In 1946, at the age of 16 (with his parents’ signatures), Omer enlisted in the United States Army. He served for 18 months in Guam as the company clerk before being honorably discharged at the rank of Master Sergeant. He then continued his education at the University of Iowa, studying political science. On October 23, 1954 he married his best friend, Juanita Hanson, at Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church. They were blessed with six children: Bruce, Barbara, Dean, David, Jonathan, and Kristin. They made their home on the family farm, where Omer dedicated almost 40 years of his life to farming before retiring in 1991. The couple were longtime members of Deer Creek Valley Lutheran Church.

Omer was a dangerous cribbage player. Yet, his conversation and personality were so pleasant and engaging that he was able to keep, as friends, the many opponents that he skunked over the years. He had an impressive knowledge of history, and collected interesting words: an antique, unabridged Oxford dictionary stood on a walnut bible stand for many years in their home in Northwood. After retirement, he and Juanita were regular attendees at the many estate sales in the area. The two of them enjoyed researching vintage art glass, china, and silverware, and he especially delighted in finding an old piece that had an unusual purpose – the odder, the better, like, say, grape shears or asparagus tongs. They loved the hunt for these interesting items and the history they represented. He was known to buy something beautiful just to please her, because her happiness meant everything to him.

He loved all his family dearly, and thanked God for them daily. He was proud and admiring of them, but not boastful. He valued contentment, a beautiful cornfield, a dog that was a good mouser, a fresh piece of lefse.

Omer is survived by his his beloved wife, Juanita, and also his children: Bruce (Linda) Davidson, Story City, IA; Dean (Julie Verry) Davidson, Omaha, NE; Jonathan (Kendra) Davidson, Valley, NE; and Kristin (David Zerkel) Davidson, Dexter, MI. Omer is also remembered by his 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; Merit (Cathy Coover) Bickner, and their child Emile, Iowa City, IA; Faith Bickner, Minneapolis, MN; Dustin (Marlina) Davidson and daughter Annabelle, Omaha, NE; Sara (Christian Colón-Goss) Davidson, Austin, TX; Bethany (James) Kervan and daughter Beatrix, Eden Prairie, MN; Naomi Davidson, Brooklyn, NY; Chandelle (Tanner) Evans, Broomfield, CO; Chayna Davidson, Omaha, NE; Logan Davidson, Omaha, NE; Nolan (Claire Seaton) Peters, Alexandria, VA; and Ella Peters, Dexter, MI – as well as by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends and neighbors.

He is preceded in death by his parents David and Mary, his brothers Marvid and Frederick, his sister Mary Louise Farrell, and his children Barbara and David. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Conner Colonial Chapel. 641-324-1543. ColonialChapels.coms