Odra M. Eberhardt, 85, died Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Stonehill Care Center. Services will be 5 pm Friday at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home, 2659 Kennedy Road where visitation will be held Friday from 2 pm until time of service. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery on Saturday morning.

Odra was born on April 20, 1929, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Roswell and Clara (Waltz) Carney. She was a graduate of Clarke College and did additional study at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and Iowa State University. Odra worked as an art specialist in the Dubuque Community Schools for 21 years and as an adjunct instructor in the Art Department at Clarke College for 10 years. She also did freelance work in graphic art and maintained a private art studio.

Education and art were the two passions that defined Odra’s career. While working for Dubuque Community Schools, Odra helped develop a comprehensive plan for revision of the district’s K-12 art education curriculum. She spent several summers working as an English teacher for international students preparing to attend colleges and universities in the U.S., and was a long-time ESL teacher and volunteer at North Iowa Community College. As an artist, she served as illustrator on numerous curriculum development projects for the Dubuque school system, and participated in national and state art education conferences and workshops. Throughout this time and especially after she retired, she continued to produce her own artwork and was a regular participant in art exhibits at area galleries.

In her spare time, Odra loved to read, was active in several civic organizations, and was especially fond of traveling. Over the years, she visited many different countries, including Ireland, France, Spain, Russia, Egypt, China, Thailand, Australia, and Mexico.

Odra was also a devoted mother and proud grandmother. She is survived by three children: Nancy Eberhardt (Steve Cohn) of Galesburg, Illinois, Dan Eberhardt of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Dave ( Kelly) Eberhardt of Naperville, Illinois; as well as five grandchildren: Maury, Alex, Gabriella, Aubrey, and Sam.

She was preceded in death by one son, James, and infant twins, as well as her parents and seven brothers Russ, Leo, Clarence, Francis, Elmer, James, and Ken.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Clarke College or to a charity of your choice. For further information, or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.egelhofsiegertcasper.com

The family would like to express their gratitude to the nurses and staff at Stonehill Care Center and Hospice of Dubuque for their kindness and loving care.