John T. Sutterfield

John T. Sutterfield, age 81, of Sartell, MN (formerly of Southern Minnesota) died Thursday, November 29, 2018 at Country Manor Care Center in Sartell. John was born July 15, 1937 in Timbo, Arkansas the son of Roosevelt and Lena (George) Sutterfield. He graduated from Avenal High School in California and enlisted in the US Air Force in 1956 serving until his honorable discharge in 1960. While on active duty at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado John met LaVay Mueller, a secretary at Martin Aircraft Company, and they were later united in marriage on June 5, 1959 at the First Presbyterian Church in Hayfield, Minnesota. After his honorable discharge from the military, John worked in orthopedic appliances for a time and then retail eventually becoming a successful small business retail merchant in Albert Lea and then Litchfield for many years. He later sold his successful business and took a position as a regional sales representative for Durango Boot Company traveling Southern Minnesota, Iowa, the Dakotas and Wisconsin while living in Sauk Rapids and St Cloud. Over the years John enjoyed many fishing trips with his close friends Cliff Glembin, Dwayne Yahnke and Jerry Tierney. He is survived by his wife, LaVay Sutterfield of Sartell, Minnesota; son, Jon (Sherri) Sutterfield Shawnee, Oklahoma; daughter, Vicki Marie Sutterfield of Lakeville, Minnesota; two grandsons, one granddaughter and one great grandchild. He is also survived by his sisters, Betty Stephens of Porterville, California and Sue Key of Overland Park, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister. A Funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, 501 2nd Street NW, Hayfield, MN 55940. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield with full military honors conducted by the Hayfield American Legion Post #330.