Oden Synness
Oden Synness sailed onto Valhalla on February 18, 2017, two days after his 44th birthday, after a grueling and valiant double overtime match against cancer.
Oden was born to his teenage parents, Trent and Nola (Jorgenson) Synness on February 16, 1973, in Helena.
He spent eight of the first 10 years of his life, beginning at the age of 2, living in either an old school bus converted to a motor home or on a 24-foot sailboat on the Caribbean Ocean, or on the hiway from coast-to-coast.
By the age of 5, traveling in their “bust,” Oden had been to places like Seattle, San Diego, Santa Fe, Sun Valley and Key West; had visited Disneyland and attended the grand opening of Disney World in Orlando; and moved to Punta Rassa (FL), with sailboat “Wings” in tow.
After moving onto the boat, the family sailed from Boca Grande (FL) to the Bahama’s Exuma Cay, via the Keys. At just 6 years of age, he piloted Wings out of Biscayne Bay through the Miami ship channel, while his dad made “sammiches” below deck.
The boat served as TNO’s home for three years, while Oden spent his preschool days chatting with old fishermen and catching people’s boats as they slid into the marina dock for fuel.
During his elementary school years, Oden split time between the sailboat in Ft. Myers Beach (FL) in the winter, and his family home in Helena in the summers. Those adventurous years were filled with sailing excursions to the Florida Keys, Dry Tortugas, and the Bahamas.
“Rasslin’” became an energetic young Oden’s sport of choice. After moving back home, he competed at numerous State, Regional and National AAU and USA Tournaments with the Helena Wrestling Club, in addition to a stellar career for Helena High.
In 1990 he qualified for the Montana Cultural Exchange team that competed in Egypt for two weeks. Oden graduated HHS in 1992 with a college wrestling scholarship to Montana Western.
And although he earned a reputation as a talented, gritty, fierce competitor on the mats, he was also renowned for “robbing” his prep teammates and college buddies of their lunch money, in the poker games on bus rides and dorm parties.
Upon learning of Oden’s death, past Capital High heavyweight Boe Shuman epilogued on Twitter: “The Helena wrestling community lost a good one,” Shuman tweeted of his former 125-pound crosstown Bengal rival. “I will always cherish my memories of Oden. He was a Lion.”
Oden continued his education at Montana State University and graduated from farrier school while working at a building supply store and driving school bus.
In 1995, Oden discovered his passion for stonework while studying industrial arts in college at Fort Collins, Colorado. He worked at Jordan Marble and Granite Company, fabricating marble and granite countertops.
Oden returned to Helena in 1999, where he became part-owner of the historic Carrie Hilger ranch – located north of Helena and southwest of his great-great-grandparents homestead below the Sleeping Giant. With Trent and Nola, they formed Sleeping Giant Ranch L.C., which he owns yet today.
In 2001, Oden started his own business in Helena, Synness Stoneworks, and later Synness Contracting and Stone in 2013, in Dillon. He was a true master of the trade, and always put quality ahead of quantity. His beautiful countertops grace the kitchens of dozens of homes in central and southwest Montana, and those who benefitted from his talents realized that Oden enjoyed a special friendship with all his clients.
In 2010, Oden married longtime best friend Laurie Barrett, and together they had three children; Oden Barrett, and twins Corbin and Cobi Synness. That same year he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma. For seven years he butted heads with the disease, but through it all he remained a hard-working (when he was able), devoted, and loving, husband and father.
Among Oden’s hobbies were water skiing, camping (his favorite spot was Curch Camp on the Missouri River under the shadow of the Sleeping Giant’s Nose), coaching wrestling, boating, the shooting sports, elk hunting and golfing. Oden loved spending time with his wife and children camping, attending rodeos and carnivals, road trips in the mountains (especially in their “new” ’72 CJ5 Jeep) and taking part in his “nugget’s” school activities.
But mostly, he just loved to have fun, no matter what he was doing.
His mother related that if one thing epitomized Oden, it was his large collection of Hawaiian shirts.
“The Hawaiian shirt is fun, colorful, complicated in pattern, and ready to party at a moment’s notice,” Nola wrote. “That was Oden – his presence made life more fun.”
Trent said that Oden never had a middle name, until now: “I’m naming him Oden Fun Synness. What a ride. Love PaPa,” penned his Dad.
Oden was predeceased by his grandfather, Chuck Jorgenson. He is survived by his wife Laurie, and children Odie B (7), Corbin (5) and Cobi (5); parents Trent and Nola Synness; his brother Noell Jorgenson (Anna), and niece Lily Jean, of Bozeman; grandparents Wes and Carol Synness, and Jean Jorgenson; and father and mother in law Kelly and Terry Barrett, of Dillon. In addition to many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins, as well.
Per Oden’s request there will be no service to celebrate his life. The family suggests that those wishing to may gather with friends and share their Oden stories, while lifting a beverage of your choice (his favorite was Coors) in honor of his well-lived, well-loved life.
An education fund for Oden’s children has been set up. Contributions may be sent to: Oden Synness Memorial Fund, C/O First Security Bank, 1721 11th Ave., Helena, MT 59601.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Kim (Walter) Ring says
Thoughts and Prayers to Oden’s family and friends.
Tim and Jan McAlpine says
Trent and Nola,
We are so very sorry for your loss. May his memories bring you joy and the Lord grant you peace.
Rich & Susan (Bass) Proul says
Trent & Nola,
I am very sorry to hear of Oden’s passing. Cherish your memories of him close in your heart and he will always be with you. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. May he rest in eternal peace.
Rita Frankforter says
We are all so sorry for your loss; our prayers with you, Nola and Trent. Oden was always special in our hearts.
Claudia says
Laurie, we never met but, please know my prayers are with you and Oden, Cobi and Corbin. My prayers also for Nola and Trent, Carol and Wes, and the entire Synness family, who has experienced more than their share of sorrows losing so many young sons/grandsons, daughter/granddaughter. Oden, Hunter, Desiree and Jeremy … and the extended cousins who met Oden at the gates … Time and distance never erase the Love and memories I hold in my heart of you. Lord, please comfort the family and friends with your Loving refuge and strength. Amen. … Aunt Claudia
Becky Foster says
Pat and I send love Trent and Nola. So sorry to hear this.
Jim & Sue Sampson says
Trent and Nola, we are so sorry to hear about Oden. He was a good man and will be missed by many. We hope that you find comfort in your memories and please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jim and Susie
Jamie Trueax says
Trent, Nola, Laurie, and the rest of the Synness family,
Please accept my condolences for your loss. I cannot imagine the pain and sorrow in your hearts at this time. My family and I have always held Oden close.
Odie was one of the greatest wrestling partners I could have ever asked for. Even though I hated wrestling him in practice every day, I know that I could have never achieved what I did without him pushing me to be better. I owe a ton of my success to him and I will never forget it. Ever since I heard of his passing and have gone to practice, if I close my eyes, I can see him on one knee, in that low stance he had, just egging me on to shoot on him.
Odie was the reason I went to Nationals, he pushed me to be the best wrestler and leader I could be. After high school we even got together to coach a couple times in USA tournaments. I cherish those memories even more now.
I am very sorry for your loss, please know that Odie had an impact on everyone that knew him. He will be missed greatly.
Lorna Smith Kim & Cory says
Trent & Nola: Sending our love to you in this difficult time. We all have very special memories of Oden.
Nick and Cindy says
Trent, Nola and Laurie and all the rest of the Synness Family, our prays are with all of yous.
Becky Schlauch says
Laurie-We am so sorry for your incredible loss. I know that words can’t comfort you, but cherish all the happy memories of Oden. Hold those kids tight and stay strong. We will keep you in our thoughts. Pat & Becky Schlauch
Barb says
Dear Laurie, Oden , Corbi, Corbin, Trent, Nola, Wess, Carol, Jean, Noel, and to each of the members of the Barret, Synness, and Jorgenson family,
We were sorry to learn from Anna of your loss. Oden was and will always continue to be very special in each of your hearts, and to all who had the honor to meet him. Most especially to each of you, who called him by the special names you knew him by.
We will always remember him dancing the two step at Anna and Noel’s wedding. The stories Trent shared about Oden, and Noel with joy sharing the gift of artistry his brother had. And how he enjoyed being able to work along side of him.
With deep and heartfelt condolences,
Don, Barb, and Elaine Schultz
Bill and Donna Simmons and Family says
Dear Synness Family, We were so very sorry to hear of Odens passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Mary Chronister says
Allen and I are deeply sorrow for your loss. We send our thoughts and prayers.
Jan Ryckman says
My deepest sympathy to your entire family in the loss of such a young man! The void in all your lives will be profound but the memories will comfort you. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Blessings.
Steve Sampson says
So sorry for your loss. Oden was such a nice young man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
He will be missed by all.
Deb Walter says
Laurie, Trent, Nola, thoughts and prayers for all of you. Odie always made me smile every time I saw him with that little mischievous grin. God bless you all. Deb Walter
John & Betty Brewer says
Nola I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know you and your family did everything earthly possible to heal Oden. I know this doesn’t give you consolation now but now he is out of all pain and smiling down on you from Heaven. He is smiling as he doesn’t want you to be sad he wants you to remember all of the beautiful moments and hold them close to your heart. My heart breaks for you all. Love and peace to you all.
Laura Malesich says
Oden was one of the hardest working, honest, kind & capable men in Dillon. He helped make our house a home and we won’t soon forget him. Prayers for his sweet family — may our Father in Heaven bring you comfort & peace.
Connie Molm says
Sorry to hear about Oden. We send our condolences, thoughts, and prayers.
Connie and Howard. (Charlie’s mom)
Budge and Cathy Givler says
Dearest Nola,
We are far away and just learned of your loss. Please know that we send our sincere condolences from afar. May our Lord grant your son life eternal and grant you and your family peace during this difficult time.
Bruce and Diane Seiler says
Dears Trent and Nola,
We are so sorry to hear about Oden passing. He was a special person in our family. All of his talents will be remembered in our home.
We send our condolences to Laurie and her family. We will miss him very much.
Jim Gillespie says
Trent and Nola I am so sorry for the loss of your son.
Chris Phelps says
Dear Trent and Nola,
I was sorry to read about Oden in todays IR article by Curt. It’s hard for me to grasp your loss!
Respectfully,
Chris Phelps
Connie and Tim Ferriter says
Trent,Nola,and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss! Oden was such an outstanding young man! Our thoughts and prayers are with you! God bless !
Christine Price says
Trent & Nola
We are so sad to hear about the loss of your son, your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
May God Bless
Chris Price & Timmy Rusek, Lindi Rusek, & Nicholas Price
Clay Pipinich says
Trent and Nola I am so sorry for the loss of your son. My prayers are with you.
Matt Kuntz says
Synness family, I’m deeply sorry for your loss. Oden was an incredible guy. He was an incredible combination of tough and kind, truly epitomizing everything I think a man should be. May God bless and hold Oden and your family.
Jamie and Lisa Jewett says
Nola…I am so sorry to hear about your son. What a terrible loss to you and his sweet family! May God’s comfort help you all through this terrible time. Our prayers are with you