Orrin M. Sundquist

April 1, 1949 - July 12, 2015

Orrin Manny Sundquist went to be with the good Lord on July 12, 2015, at the age of 66. His passing was peaceful and at home, on the land he worked and loved.

Orrin was born April 1, 1949 in Mobridge, S.D., to Loren Manny Sundquist and Darlene Alice (Gishwiller) Sundquist. Shortly after, the small family moved back to Wasta, at the request of Darlene’s dad, Orrin Gishwiller, to help with the family ranch. Orrin was raised here and was joined by a sister, Sharon Alice in 1953.

Orrin attended Wasta Grade School, and graduated from Wall High School in 1967. He went on to College at SDSU and later Black Hills State University, to pursue a major in Education. Orrin also served in the National Guard, and assisted in the search and rescue efforts of the 1972 Rapid City Flood.

On October 29, 1977, Orrin married his soul mate and best friend, Zella Ann Brown. They started their family with the birth of their daughter, Shara Rae, in May of 1980, followed by the birth of their son, Phane Col, in May of 1985. Orrin was a dedicated husband and father, always hard at work to support the family he loved so much. He was always a significant presence in their lives, all while working a full time job, farming, ranching, and volunteering.

Orrin had many skills and abilities, making it easy for him to wear many different hats throughout his life. Orrin worked in construction, horse training, trucking, mechanics, and road maintenance just to name a few. All the places he worked and volunteered are too many to list, but two with the most significant was his 21 years at the Pennington County Highway Department, and his love of serving as a volunteer fire fighter for the town and area of Wasta.

Orrin was a proud lifetime member of the NRA with Golden Eagle status. Orrin was also a hero, in all sense of the word. Always a selfless man, he would put his life on the line for others with little to no hesitation. One notable example of this is when he saved a man’s life in a boating accident, at Bruce’s Dam in 1997. He would later be recognized for the heroic deed by Governor Janklow. Always humble, he never said much about this, only replying with ‘I just did what I was supposed to do’. 

Orrin was a gentle man, with a big heart and a big laugh. Orrin’s

peaceful and optimistic charisma made him easy to be with and drew people in. Orrin had many great friends, and his favorite past time was being with them. He had many things he enjoyed such as hunting, riding motorcycles and horses, camping; however, none of these hobbies he enjoyed unless his friends and family were there to enjoy them too. The many stories he shared were always filled with fond memories of these times in his life, and he was grateful to have them.

Orrin retired in 2013, and continued to work on the family ranch he was raised on till his passing. These years were especially precious times for his wife, as they were able to spend their days and nights together, never apart for more than a few hours. Orrin loved being outdoors and working with his hands.

One of his greatest joys was working side by side with his son on the ranch, showing him all he had learned, while learning a few things himself. Nothing gave him greater sense of peace and happiness then spending time just being with the family he created and was so proud of.

He was blessed to have a wife of almost 38 years who he cherished, two children he was proud of, a daughter-in-law and son-in-law who he considered his own and loved as his own, and four granddaughters he adored beyond measure. 

Countless lives were forever touched by Orrin’s presence; words simply cannot capture the magnitude of this. Orrin was much more than a great man, he was a legacy.

Orrin is survived by the love of his life and wife, Zella Sundquist of Wasta; his daughter, Shara Sundquist-Dart and her husband Jeff; his son, Phane Sundquist and his wife Jennifer, all of Rapid City; four grandchildren, Rayna Dart, Matilda Sundquist, Violet Sundquist and Hazel Sundquist; his sister, Sharon Culbertson and her husband Bob, of Spearfish; nephews, Lanny Culbertson and his wife Melissa, and Kevin Culbertson; great niece and great nephew; sister-in-law, Peggy Sieler; niece, Kim Sieler; special nephew, Harlan Sieler; and a host of beloved cousins and friends. Orrin is also survived by his two closest friends, Guy Smith and Kent Lurz.

Orrin is preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, and numerous cousins, whom he looked forward to seeing once again in Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the memorial fund, in care of Zella Sundquist.

Memorial services were held Friday, July 17, 2015 at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be conveyed to the family at behrenswilson.com.

The Pioneer Review

221 E. Oak Street
Philip, SD 57567
Telephone: (605) 859-2516
E Mail: ads@pioneer-review.com

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