Goði Thorgrun Odden ~ A Life Well Loved
Writing this has been a slow process for me. How does one compress the sharing of lives, spanning three decades, into a single article? Interwoven like knotwork, there was joy, heartache, births, deaths and weddings. I knew it was my role to see this last stage to the end; to help Thorgrun and his wife grasp the unknown.
Thorgrun Odden’s passing added a new page of the AFA story. For the first time, we began preparing an Asatru funeral based on the “forever” role of a Goði. Tools and handwork had been his trade as a carpenter. Our Folkbuilders brought those same skills to the forefront to plan a memorial that celebrated Thorgrun’s love of tradition and the ancestral ways.
There was already a familiar grave in our Óðinshof Cemetery. Their daughter, Rebekah Thompson Roth. passed away suddenly, leaving two young children behind. At Midsummer 2020, we gathered to intern her ashes, the first sacred remains in our cemetery. It was understood that Thorgrun’s ashes would be placed within arm’s length of Bekahs’ grave.
Over several days, Brodie and Daniel dug through the cement-like soil and lined the hole with concrete, doing everything “the right way” - for that is what Thorgrun deserved as a beloved family-member and leader within the AFA. By the time we gathered at Thorgrun’s grave on August 18th, a stunning Algiz rune made from hefty limbs stood in the place where a headstone will eventually lie. Chunky rocks curved around the length of the gravesite in the shape of a ship – a Viking ship, with an upright boulder at each end - just as Thorgrun would have wanted it.
The date for the memorial service fell on the weekend of Freyfaxi, which was always Thorgrun’s special event as a devotee of Freyr. As Founder and Gyðja respectively, Steve and I recounted to everyone the significance of the Freyr Blót which we were about to lead. Thorgrun was honored throughout the ritual, but the next day was wholly Thorgrun’s. Sunday was also Thorgrun’s 78th birthday. Whether deliberate or Wyrd-at-work, it was the perfect date. Katie, Thorgrun’s life-long wife and partner of 55 years, was delighted at the synchronicity of dates, and so the invitations went out far and wide.
For weeks, Katie and I had planned the splendid reception that would follow the funeral rite. She called on Mother Frigg as she gathered the treasured items he had collected along the way, reflecting his dedication as a Freysgoði. All of these items, as well as family photos and Thorgrun’s ritual garments, were on display when guests entered the Hof.
The Hof was bright and welcoming in autumn splendor. The efforts of the last few days showed. Fall leaves in various hues of orange covered the black tablecloths. People were directed to a table with writing and crafting materials so they could make “grave-goods” as gifts for Thorgrun to take on his journey. Eventually, the moment arrived: It was time to proceed to the cemetery.
The Hof-team made sure that rows of seats were waiting beneath the shade of popups. Guests and kin were seated as we began our procession across the parking area to the cemetery gate. Steve and I led the way, carrying the AFA horn and the handmade box with Gothi Thorgrun’s remains. We were followed by Olivia, holding the small box of grave-goods. With the horn filled and raised, we called to the Holy Æsir, the Ancestors, and the Landvættr to be with us to honor this great man. I spoke of Thorgrun’s journey through life, describing him as a good and stalwart friend to everyone who now sat by his grave, and a man of high principles who could always be counted on to give his best and share his wisdom.
Founder McNallen and I together dipped a frond of cedar into the bowl of mead. We called on Daniel to bring forth the box containing Thorgrun’s ashes, which Daniel had lovingly built with rare woods and runic symbols. We placed it in the grave, heavily sprinkled with mead. Olivia and her family then stepped forward with the box of grave-goods and placed it next to the wooden box. It, too, received blessings of holy mead as we said our words over the grave. Calls went out. “Hail, Thorgrun Odden!”
But we were there at two graves belonging to this family. To our right, was Bekah. We stepped to her graveside to give special blessings and love for this reunification with her father. From everyone’s heart, came the shouts, “Hail Bekah!”
Final blessings to Thorgrun included thanks for sincere friendship, and for leading so many lost souls to a noble and virtuous life under the banner of the Aesir. At that point, Founder McNallen said his own words of farewell, ending with the Hávamál stanza, “Cattle Die, Kinsman die…” Hail to those, worthy of remembrance. Gothi Odden was now one of the esteemed Ancestors.
The rite was done. As people filed back though the wrought-iron gate, Olivia stood with the small bowl of mead. For those who wished, she gave the rune Raido on their foreheads. Most asked for that blessing, in honor of Thorgrun, while Katie received condolences and hugs.
The rest of the afternoon had a festive atmosphere as we offered mead and cider for a group toast to Thorgrun. As all stood up, a thunderous, “Hail Thorgrun!” filled the Hall. Next was a slideshow, beginning with Thorgrun’s ancestors, then traveling through his personal years with his young family. Then came memorable events during his AFA years. The slideshow ended with recent photos at Óðinshof, among the folk who so loved and respected him – all to the tune of Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again.” Yes, that would be Thorgrun…
We feasted in his honor from a table laden with croissant-sandwiches, salads, and trays of veggies and fruit. The final task before us was to celebrate his birthday with a cake made for the occasion. Our voices filled the hall with joy as we sang “Happy Birthday” for his 78th.
This part of Thogrun’s life was done. We had given good closure to family and friends who had come to give homage to this exceptional man. Our own AFA Folk saw how well our leadership worked seamlessly, in unison, to create this day of tribute. We were the Do-ers. We ARE the Do-ers!
Hail the Folk!
Hail, Goði Thorgrun Odden!
Gythia Sheila McNallen
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