Career
Born in Waukon, Iowa, he was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1941, for the Archdiocese of Chicago. On October 26, 1960, Pope John XXIII appointed him auxiliary bishop of the Chicago Archdiocese, and on December 21, 1960, he was consecrated a bishop. On February 18, 1967, Pope Paul VI appointed O"Donnell bishop of the Madison Diocese.
On April 18, 1992, he retired.
He died in Madison.
