Richard Joseph Sutherland

MADISON-Richard J. "Dick" Sutherland, age 81, passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born on Feb. 20, 1935, in Madison. Dick graduated from Madison East High School in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956, before attending and graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Dick married Joanne Sophia Larson on Dec. 21, 1963, at Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a high school teacher for a few years before working at Equifax as an insurance investigator, where he was known for being one of their most dedicated employees. Dick retired in 1991. He was an avid sports fan who loved the Badgers, Packers, Brewers, and Cubs. Dick and his wife had season tickets for Badger football games for over 45 years. He will be fondly remembered for his kindness and his unique sense of humor. Dick was well known at several East side grocery stores, coffee shops, and restaurants, always joking with the staff and other patrons. He was a loving and supportive husband, father, brother, and grandfather who will be dearly missed. Dick is survived by his wife, Jo, of 52 years; children, Jon (Amy) Sutherland of Sun Prairie and James (Shawnee) Parens of Madison; grandchildren, Kameron Nonn, Tailyn Ludwiczak, Max Parmaker, and Jackson Parmaker; sister, Nancy Sutherland of Madison; brother, Bob (Glady) Sutherland of Deer Brook, Wis.; and an aunt, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. A funeral service will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, with Pastor Jeff Vanden Heuvel presiding. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the service on Wednesday.  Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420