Darla Sunderman

Darla Sunderman, 69, a life-long resident of La Grande, died at her home Monday, August 24th, 2009, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, September 1, at the United Methodist Church, 4th & Spring. There will be a reception at the church immediately following the service, and a gathering at the Sunderman home at 5 p.m.

Darla was born on April 1st, 1940, to Harvey and Genevieve (Adler) Carter. She attended schools in La Grande, and enrolled in Eastern Oregon University for two years following her graduation from La Grande High School in 1958. She married Robert Sunderman in 1960, and left school to go with him to Italy during his military service. Later, they returned to La Grande and she finished college, graduating with a degree in education.

Darla taught English, speech and drama at La Grande High School for two years and resigned in 1970 to create and operate the Fir Street Gallery with Bob. Three years later she and Bob began their family and she devoted herself to her two sons. As they grew, she returned to Eastern to renew her teaching certificate and to La Grande High School to resume teaching English. She also coached the Mock Trial program and retired in 2002.

Among many other talents, Darla was an athlete, having taught swimming and life saving for many years. She loved skiing and hiking on her mountain property, and pitched in the women