08 April 2018

Susie Rode Impero 1941 - 2016

Evelyn Gladys Rhode, "Susie", became part of the Largent family when as a young teenager she went to work for Aunt Ada doing various chores.  Suzie's admiration for Ada grew.  They shared many personality traits (fastidiously clean - both were known to iron sheets-, fun loving with an ability to laugh at themselves) both were excellent hostesses who enjoyed companySusie eventually spent as much time or more in Ada's home as with her parents and eventually moved in with Ada while finishing high school and dating Mike Impero.  After Susie was married, Ada returned to Eastern Washington to be near her family, but in 1974 she returned to Bellingham to be near Susie and Mike's young family.  Susie treated Aunt Ada's relatives as her ownWhen Ada's relatives went to visit, Susie always invited us for dinner, boating, or to spend a night there.  Susie, like Ada, was an excellent cook.  Susie treated Ada as if she were her mother and said Ada was the best grandmother her children had, and watched over Ada carefully in her final days.  Except that Susie didn't grow up staying with aunts, uncles, and cousins, she was virtually another cousin.  Oddly, Susie's obituary doesn't mention her relationship with Ada, but otherwise it accurately describes her life.  She and Mike really were that rare couple that seemed infatuated with each other 55 years after the wedding.

Susie, Ada, and Mike at the 1988 Largent Reunion

At Alice & Bruce Maxson's 1992 50th anniversary celebration in Walla Walla
Connie, John, Alice, Bruce, Ada, Bus, and Susie

Here's the obituary as shown on the Mole's Funeral Home website.

Susie Impero passed away on Thursday, 30 June 2016 after a long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) . A lady of elegance and class, she will be greatly missed.


Susie was born in Bellingham to Fred and Clara Rode, she was the second child in a family of four and lived in Bellingham her entire life. Her siblings are Shirley Dias, Billy (Carol) and Bobby Rode. She attended Mt. Baker High School where she met Mike Impero, who would become her husband and the love of her life. Mike and Susie were life partners in every sense of the word. They established and operated a successful business, Impero Construction Company, for 35 years. Yet, their greatest accomplishment and source of joy were their children, son Mike Jr. (Crissy) Impero and daughter Laura (Pat) Frambach. Susie was a loving grandmother who cared deeply about each of her grandchildren: Mikaela, Kyle and McKenzie Impero and Caleb (Brittany) and Alanna Frambach. She was their biggest fan and cheerleader.

Susie was a consummate hostess who held frequent gatherings of family and friends. She made all who visited feel welcome, special and important. Holidays will simply never be the same without her……….. Some of the things that Susie loved were: reading a good book, traveling, playing bananagrams, bright colors (especially red & purple), Elvis Presley music, Christmastime and family gatherings.

Susie & sister Shirley had an extra special relationship, full of love and friendship. Shirley was with her every step of the way, full of patience and determined to take the best care of her as possible. Susie had the most wonderful team of gals to care for her. These three Amigos were sister Shirley, Rita Walters and Diane Park. Their love for Susie was immeasurable.

The care Susie received from the Hospice team was exceptional! A special thank you to nurse Carren G. for the loving care she provided.

While our hearts are heavy and it was difficult to say good bye, we are grateful that she is free from her earthly body. She leaves behind memories with each of us that will be forever cherished.

Original obituary may still be available at  Moles Farewell Tributes- Bayview Chapel (2465 Lakeway Drive) 

*Memorial service were at Cornwall Church (4518 Northwest Drive) on Thursday, 7 July 2016 at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Whatcom Hospice or Mt. Baker High School Scholarship Fund.

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