Imogene Van Overschelde, 103, died Dec. 2, 2016, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell. Funeral services were 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Will Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Shane D. Stevens officiating. Visitation was one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial was in Butler Cemetery, rural Letcher, with military rites.
Imogene was born Oct. 17, 1913 to Emiel and Emerance (DeSmet) Van Overschelde on the family farm near Letcher, the youngest of 12. After high school, she attended Southern State Normal in Springfield and the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo. She began her teaching career in rural schools in Sanborn County.
In 1943, Imogene joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corp (WAAC) and then the Women’s Army Corp (WAC). She graduated from South Dakota State University, Brookings, with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in home economics education. From SDSU, she received the Distinguished Alumna Award and received an Honorary Doctorate degree in public service. She taught home economics and biology at Armour High School and home economics and supervised student teachers from SDSU at Madison High School.
For 25 years, she was State Supervisor of Home Economics in the Division of Vocational and Technical Education. She was on the Board of Advisory Editors for a series of Home Economics cookbooks published by Favorite Recipes Press. She served on the National Board of Directors for the National Future Homemakers of America (FHA-HERO). She originated the idea for and was instrumental in initiating the South Dakota State University program for School Food Service Certification for school lunch cooks. She received Distinguished Service Awards for State Vocational Association, State Home Economics Association and was designated as State Outstanding Home Economist.
She held offices in many of the organizations of which she was active member: Delta Kappa Gamma, Honored Women Educators of South Dakota (formerly Annie Talbert Club), Pierre Area Retired Teachers Unit, American Legion Auxiliary, American Legion, Saint Mary’s Healthcare Center Auxiliary, South Dakota Home Economics Association and Pierre AARP Chapter. She was an avid reader throughout her life, enjoyed flower gardening at the apartment and traveled worldwide. She was a member of St. Peter and Paul Church in Pierre and former officer of St. Ann’s Court and Pierre Catholic Daughters of America. For three years, she had a monthly, “Imogene’s Hour” for residents at Mitchell Avera Brady Assisted Living.
She is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and 11 brothers and sisters.