Obituary
Rodney (Rod) Sutherland
Rodney (Rod) Sutherland, age 87, of Onalaska, WI passed away on March 20, 2024 in his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 14, 1936 , in La Crosse, WI to Clair and Charlotte Sutherland.
Family meant everything to Rod, his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were his world. He loved many things, including watching the Packers, being on the water fishing, especially salmon fishing in Algoma. He was a great outdoorsman who loved to hunt, camp, mushroom hunting and golf. Rod was also an avid reader.
After graduating from Aquinas High School in 1955 Rod served in the Army for three years. He was then employed by Trane Company for 40 plus years.
Rod always said he was blessed by two great women as his wives. His first wife was Julie Aiken, they were married in 1958 until her death in 1995. They were blessed by three daughters. He then married Lila Rose in 1997, which then added to the family three more children.
Rod is survived by his beloved wife Lila. Children Linda (Tom) Carraux, Karen (James) Allen-Eddy, Annie(Troy) Fiers, Jeff(Raney) Rose, and Laurie(Mike) Gillespie. His grandchildren, John, Emily, Alec, Sarah, Sam, Julia, Jamie, Ben, Jesse, Alex, Katlyn, Matt, Lindsay, Chris and Tyler. Rod also had 21 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Steven (Diane) Sutherland, Robert (Jo) Sutherland and a sister Sue Pierce.
He is proceeded in death by his wife Julie, parents Clair and Charlotte Sutherland, sister Lois Ann, and step-son Jon Rose.
A service to honor Rod will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024 at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St., Onalaska, WI. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A service at 12:00p.m. , with military honors following. A luncheon and social time will
then follow.
A special thank you to Gundersen Hospice and Oncology Department for their loving care and support. Rod will be deeply missed by all that knew him, but his sense of humor and love for his family will live in our hearts forever.
To view his tribute video click HERE
To livestream the service, download the Zoom app and click HERE
I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of your dad Karen. He always made me feel like his fourth daughter when we were growing up.????
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Rod. He was one of my Father’s, James St. Jacque, best friend for over 70 years. Over the years I have heard many stories about Rod and My Father. If walls could talk there would be a lot of explaining to do by these two! He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. Our prayers and thoughts go out to Rod’s family at this VERY difficult time. Blessings to all the knew Rod!
Bonnie and I enjoyed Rods company going to the plant 6 Breakfasts. I knew Rod for many years at plant 6. HE WAS A VERY NICE GENTLEMAN. GODBLESS. Our prayers are with you.
Dear Lila
How can words help you at this very sad time? From the first time I met Rod I knew he was special. I knew him as a loving, honest and very funny guy in our short time as neighbors. He was our Birdman, our straight man in a comedy and a big Fisherman. Rod was a fighter – – had a great memory, so easy to talk to and a man who loved his wife. I will always have a special place in my heart.
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad, Karen and Annie. You had such a great parents!
I am so sorry to hear of Rod’s passing. My husband, Dick Goldsmith, was a friend of Rod and worked together at Trane Company. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.
Faye Goldsmith
Worked and hunted with Rod, lots of great memories. Rest in peace my friend!
Sorry to hear of Rod’s passing. Had the pleasure of working with Rod a good many years at plant 6. Always willing to help and also share some good hunting and fish stories. I’m sure he will be greatly missed!
So sorry to hear of Rods passing, but what a life he truly lived and loved! Still remember your mom babysitting us and getting us three girls through chickenpox. Loved seeing your dad at different social gatherings. God bless his memory which now lives in all of us. Memories will ease the loss.
It is with sadness that I leave this message. I was very happy to get to know Rod and witness the happiness between he and Lila. My deepest sympathy to their family.
Dear Lila & Family, So sorry for your loss, you are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless all of you. Love, The Bela Family.
So sorry to hear this sad news. Julie (and Rod) were not only care givers to my daughters, but great family friends. Rod took pleasure in telling me about Barbie crawling up on his lap and “sharing “ his beer while he was trying to read the paper. ???? He lived a good life! My condolences to you all.
Lila and Family. I was sorry to hear of Rod’s passing. Blessings to you all during this sad time. You’re in my prayers. My sincere sympathy.
Sending Prayers and Condolences to Rod’s Family at this sad time. I worked with Rod at Trane Company for many years. Rod was a tremendous person and a great person to work with.