(Corrections to the article made in-line with brackets)

Odd Fellows lodge showing signs of new life

by Andy Reiger, Norman Transcript

The parking lot at Norman’s Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodge on the edge of the fraternal group’s cemetery has a few more cars than usual these days. Dormant for about 20 years, the lodge is showing signs of life with new members, a remodeling plan for its building and a president who’s excited about the opportunities ahead.

“We say we really haven’t done anything this century,” jokes Daniel [H]anttula, a transplant to Norman from the Jones IOOF lodge. His fraternal title is Noble Grand and his business card is a whimsical replica of a $1,000 bill with his picture on it.

The Norman lodge was organized in 1889, just a few months after the Land Run opened the territory to non-native settlers. It was originally known as Lodge No. 1 in [Oklahoma] Territory. Over the years, the lodge has counted as many as 1,250 members with about 20 active today. An aging membership, COVID and other issues caused the numbers to dwindle over the past decades.

Graves from Norman’s first cemetery on the corner of what is now Main Street and Berry Road were moved to the IOOF Cemetery in the early 1900s. There is a small plaque on the dumpster wall behind the Dutch Brothers coffee shop noting that early graveyard on school land.

There are more than 300 IOOF chapters in the United States. The organization began as a mutual benefit association that paid a dividend upon a member’s death. The name derives from members performing charitable works for orphans and widows, something considered odd in the late 1800s.

“We have more than 132 years of history in Norman. When you come in here, you kind of step back in time,” [H]anttula said while showing early chapter memorabilia, robes, jewels, minute books and other documents. Members meet monthly.

The newly revitalized Norman IOOF lodge runs the nearly 60-acre cemetery on North Porter Avenue, south of Rock Creek Road. Full-time staff members do the upkeep and management. The organization averages 100 to 150 burials per year. St. Joseph Catholic Church bought about five acres in the middle of the IOOF Cemetery many years ago and many Catholics have their final resting place there.

“I enjoy the fraternal aspect of the lodge. I like what Odd Fellows does,” he said.