Colleen Gay Sundstrom passed away October 21, 2023, several days after suffering a stroke at her home in Chestertown, Maryland.

A dual Celebration of Life, for Colleen and Karen Hedwig Backman, will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell, SD.

Colleen was born September 18, 1949 to Lawrence and Gayle Sundstrom in Mitchell, South Dakota. She grew up in Letcher and Artesian, South Dakota, graduating in 1967 from Artesian High School. Colleen moved East after graduation to attend Vassar College in New York. Colleen spent her adult life in the District of Columbia and Maryland, initially working in community projects and then computer programming.

After completing her education at the University of Maryland, she worked in public health research at Howard University, and she concluded her working career as a civilian employee of the United States Army, specializing in human subject protection in medical research.

Colleen retired to Chestertown, Maryland in 2013. In retirement, she shared her experience and knowledge as a volunteer instructor at the Washington College Academy of Lifelong Learning, and she was active with The Samaritan Group, Chestertown River Arts, Friends of the Library, and the Kent County Democratic Party. She traveled widely and was a lifelong student of ethics, philosophy, art, and art history.

Survivors are brothers Mike Sundstrom of Edgemont, South Dakota, Bob (Hazel) Sundstrom of Sheldon, Iowa, sister Lola Shattuck, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins.

Colleen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and brother-in-law Sally and Clarence Olson, and brothers Ron Ryan and Curt and Marvin Sundstrom.

Her family is grateful to the staff of the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore for the care she received in her final days.

Colleen is missed by all who knew and loved her.