Nora Odella Solheim Baak, 100, of Sioux City, Iowa, died June 15, 2014, at her home. Odella was born on Sept. 26, 1913, in Valley City, N.D., the daughter of the Rev. Elling and Helene Sogaarden Solheim. She grew up in Eagle Bend, Minn., and graduated from Eagle Bend High School in 1932. She graduated from St. Olaf College in 1936, with a B.A. in English and Latin. After college, Odella taught for three years in North Dakota, three years in South Dakota, and four years in Minnesota, teaching English, Latin, and music. She then taught at St. Olaf College in Northfield from 1946 to 1953.

She married Leonhard Baak on Aug. 8, 1953, in Eagle Bend, Minn. The couple then moved to Emporia, Kan., where they lived until 1960, when they moved to Sioux City. Odella taught library science and children’s literature at Morningside College for 22 years, until she retired in 1982. She was the chairman of the Library Science Department and served as an associate professor at the college. Leonhard died on Jan. 17, 1998, in Sioux City. Odella was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sioux City.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Phyllis Solheim; three nephews, Dr. William Solheim, Edward Solheim, and Donald Solheim; and her grandnieces. She also informally adopted many freshmen at Morningside College. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her brother, Arthur; and her sister, Evelyn Solheim Johnson ’40.

Odella would like memorials to be given to Morningside College or Redeemer Lutheran Church.