Imogene Sunderland

Imogene Carol Sunderland was born on August 29, 1946 in Granite Falls, MN the daughter of Wallace and Mildred (Day) Odegard. She was baptized and confirmed in the United Church of Christ in Granite Falls and graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1964. She married Orlen Torke in 1964, three daughters were born to this union- Karla, Brenda and Alita. One son, David, was also born who died in infancy. On August 28, 1993, Imogene was united in marriage to Kent Sunderland and made their home on a farm NE of Montevideo. Having grown up on a farm Imogene so enjoyed the peacefulness of life in the country.
As a teenager, Imogene worked at the Falls Café and was active in church choir and the youth fellowship group. She was also active in numerous high school activities, including choir where she loved sharing her singing talents in solos and the girls’ trio. She received a guitar for Christmas one year and sang with her sister at many high school and local events. Imogene loved music and singing from the young age of 3 ½ when she sang ‘You Are My Sunshine’ at the family reunion. She also loved to dance and especially loved the old time country music.
Imogene worked for KDMA Radio as a receptionist, managed Riverview Apartments and was the Director of the Southwest region of Minnesota Emergency Medical Services for 33 years. She was responsible for 18 SW Minnesota counties and oversaw the scheduling of education and training. She provided liason support with the MN Dept. of Health for all law enforcement, ambulances, first responders and fire departments in the region. This was a true passion for Imogene as the work made a positive impact in the lives within the communities she served.
Imogene was a humble, kind and caring person with a soft heart, always taking time for others. She crocheted doilies, bedspreads, afghans and Christmas stockings for her family and friends. She was also a great baker and cook. She made doughnuts, banana bread, handmade mints and her grandchildren’s favorite- large batches of puppy chow snack. She loved to assist Kent in the day to day upkeep at the farm and was meticulous in how she mowed the lawn, maintaining it like one big soft, green carpet. She played ladies’ pool league for years and also liked to read, play cards, and spend time with family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great grandsons.
Imogene was called from this life on Thursday Sept. 15, 2016, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, MN. She was 70 years of age.
She is survived by her father Wallace Odegard of Granite Falls, MN; husband Kent of Montevideo, MN; her daughters Karla Torke of Sarasota, FL, Brenda Karston of Belle Plaine, MN and Alita Torke of New Brighton, MN; grandchildren Jesi (& Nick) Rau of Herzogenaurach, Germany, Krystal (& Patrick) O’Shea of Eagan, MN; and Jayde Karston of Belle Plaine, MN; great grandchildren Drake Rau and Kieran O’Shea; siblings Sharon (& Ray) Olson of Walker, MN, Lynnae (& Darrell) Zieske of Alexandria, MN, Dallas (& Coleen) Odegard of Sacred Heart, MN, Denise (& Rick) Growe of Shakopee, MN, Loren Odegard and Lori Odegard of Sacred Heart, MN, Brad (& Dawn) Odegard of Clarkfield, MN; father-in-law Dale Sunderland of Montevideo, MN; brother-in-law Steven (& Lynell) Sunderland of Montevideo, MN, Bradley (& Mary) Sunderland of Maynard, MN, Russell (& Cheryl) Sunderland of Jamestown, ND; sister-in-law LuAnn (& Lonnie) Hansen of Maynard, MN, LaNae Sunderland (& John Bendickson) of Sunburg, MN and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her mother Mildred; a son in infancy David Torke; brother-in-law Douglas Chapman; sister-in-law Jennifer Odegard and her mother-in-law Katherine Sunderland.