Dr. John Sutherland

Dr. John Sutherland

Age 84 of Stillwater

Survived by children, Kathy (Ron) Lutes, Steve (Peg) Sutherland, Mary (Mac) Ryerse; their mother, Karen Sutherland Bruning; grandchildren, Jenni (Dave) Fors, Steven (Shelley) Lutes, Cara (Austin) Lutes-Swenson, Izzy, Michael and Charlie Sutherland, Grant, Adam and Luke Ryerse; great grandchildren, Greta, Malachi and Gabriel Lutes; brother, David Sutherland; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, John Eric Sutherland and Vivian Sutherland Aakre; sister, Jeanne MacLean; and granddaughter, Grace Ryerse.

John could reliably be found on the sidelines and in the seats of his grandchildren’s games and concerts, at the COVID-era drive-in worship services of Trinity Lutheran, and always had energy to socialize with friends, including through golf and tennis. He was consistently jovial and enthusiastic, and treated all people he encountered with respect.

Though he was never boastful about his professional life, “Dr. John” was the definition of a diligent and caring family physician, who would stop at nothing to get the answers needed by the patient. Or, if there was no cure, he was the one to come alongside to help alleviate suffering in the process of dying.  He delivered thousands of babies, and saw many of them through their growing-up years.  He retired just 9 short years ago, proud to do this while celebrating his 50th year of medical practice.  After graduating from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, and then University of Minnesota Medical School (always a proud Gopher), he began his practice in Marshall, MN.  He then served as a Navy physician in Indianhead, MD, following which he practiced family medicine in Robbinsdale, MN.  In 1980, he found his passion for teaching, and spent the rest of his career training residents and students (while still practicing medicine right along with them) at the Mayo Clinic, U of M, So. Illinois U, and finally 21 years as Program Director for the U of Iowa’s program in Waterloo.  Always the curious and rigorous one, John also performed clinical research and published 40 scientific journal articles. While dedicated to his career, he was also devoted to his children, who will miss him greatly.

Memorial service will be at 12:00pm Saturday, August 21 at TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 115 4th St N, Stillwater, with visitation beginning at 10:30.

A video recording of John's service is available HERE

Memorials preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church, to support the St. Croix Valley Tiny Home Initiative.