Funeral Service for Russell "Rusty" C. Sunderland, 71 of Sisseton, SD will be held on Thursday,
April 2, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Rusty's Life. The Rev. Suzie Benidt and Rev. William Schruba officiating. Organist will be Mona Greseth and special music by Joe Block. Special poem written by Vanessa Sunderland for her Grandpa and the eulogy will be conducted by Cindy Nichols. Pallbearers will be Russell M. Sunderland, Michael Sunderland, Andrew Sunderland, Russell Spencer "RJ" Sunderland, Greg Gall, and Gene Gall. Junior Pallbearers are (all of Rusty's Grandchildren) will be Breanna Sunderland, Kayla Sunderland, Alberto Gallegos, Vanessa Sunderland, Jaxon Sunderland, Carson Sunderland, Mylah Sunderland, Mark Lake, Breanna and Brent's son-July 2015 and Mike and Kari's daughter-July 2015. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Rusty's family, friends, coworkers and everyone else that Rusty has met in his 70 years of life. Interment will be in the Scotland-Rosehill Cemetery, Scotland, SD. There will be visitation on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the Cahill Funeral Chapel from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with family present.
Rusty was born on August 5, 1943 on the family farm in Selby, SD to Russell and Rosina (Diedtrich) Sunderland. He graduated from Selby high school and then attended college at Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell, SD getting his Bachelor's degree with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. Rusty also lettered in Football playing on both offense and defense. While attending college at Dakota Wesleyan he married his True Love, Joyce Kocer on August 16th, 1965. After they got married, they resided in Mitchell, SD. When Rusty graduated from Dakota Wesleyan, he attended graduate school at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NE while he and Joyce lived in Scotland, SD. At the University of Nebraska, Rusty achieved his Masters in Psychiatric Social Work. When graduating with his MSW from the University of Nebraska he started his career at the Human Services Center in Yankton, SD working as a social worker (8 years). Then he and Joyce moved to Sisseton, SD where this was their home for nearly 40 years. He worked for Lake Region Mental Health Center (19 years). After retiring from being a Social Worker, he went to work for Dakota Sioux Casino as a Security Officer/Safety Coordinator/EMT (16 years).
In Addition To Rusty's Illustrious Career, He Was An Accomplished member of the Kiwanis Club, Local Cub Scout Pack Master, Trainer For The Local Crisis Line, Taught Sunday School, Police Officer In Lesterville, SD, 3rd Degree Black Belt In Karate, Karate Instructor, Chairperson Of The SD NASW, SD Human Services Forum Board, Roberts County Red Cross Board, Chairman Of The Ducks Unlimited, Volunteer Firemen, Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star, Hunter Safety Coarse Safety Instructor, Emcee At The Coteau Heritage Festival, Coteau Sports & Conservation Club, NRA Member For 44 Years, South Dakota Social Worker Of The Year Award Winner In 1979 & 1982.
Rusty's primary hobby was wood carving. With great passion over the last 50 years, he has won many awards and shared his professional wood works with many family and friends. The carvings included Pheasants, Ducks, Fish, Pets and many more (almost anything you can imagine).
Rusty Also Enjoyed Many Interests Which Included The Following: Rusty Always Enjoyed Giving and Providing For Others, Dancing, Listening To Polka/Oldies, Country Western Music, Playing Pinochle, Cross Word Puzzles, Reading, LOVED Spending Time With His Wife, Children, Grandchildren and Friends, Attending All Of His Children's /Grandchildren's Events, Flowers/Gardening And Hunting/Trap-Shooting.
Rusty took great pleasure in surprising Joyce with dozens of roses throughout the 49 ½ years of marriage. It didn't need to be a Birthday or Anniversary; he would give Joyce roses just because.
Rusty passed away peacefully at the Sanford Palliative Care Unit on March 28, 2015 surrounded by his family, after a brief, but hard battle with cancer. Rusty spent 5 weeks at the Sanford Medical Center, before being transferred to Sanford Palliative Care Unit in Fargo, ND.
He will be remembered as a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle and Friend; Rusty will always be LOVED and DEARLY MISSED!
Rusty is survived by his wife of 49 years Joyce Sunderland of Sisseton, SD; Kids/Grandkids Russell M. Sunderland (fiancé Maria and son Alberto) of Woods, ND and his three children Russell Spencer "RJ" of Fargo, ND, Breanna and her son Mark of Fargo, ND, Kayla of Fargo, ND; Mike (Kari) Sunderland and their son Carson of Davenport, ND; Andy (Lisa) Sunderland and their three Children Vanessa, Jaxon and Mylah of Breckenridge, MN; Brother Howard Sunderland (Jocelynne Adams) of Anaheim, CA and his daughter Shauna (Larry) Hess of Los Angeles, CA; Sister Vi Fritza of Mount Vernon, SD and her two sons Jimmy Putman of Eagan, MN and Scott Putman of Rosemount, MN and their families; Brother Lyle (Maureen) Sunderland of Mitchell, SD and their three children Lee (Hope) Sunderland of Gilbert, AZ and family, Bill Sunderland of Chandler, AZ and family, Dawn (David) Barber of Lakeville, MN; Sister In Law Mary Ann Gall of Lesterville, SD and her four children Greg (Rita) Gall of Lesterville SD and their three children Kori (Justin) DeJong of Lesterville, SD, Maggie of Yankton, SD and Kyle of Lesterville, SD; Deb (Bill) Block of Menno, SD and their three children, Jeremy (Rosey) Block of St Louis, MO, Jessica of Harrisburg, SD and Joe of Sioux Falls, SD; Cindy Nichols of Sioux Falls, SD and her daughter Tesia of Corona, CA; Gene (Penny) Gall of Apple Valley, MN and their four children, Tanner of Medford, OR, Taylor (Steve) Bloch of Omaha, NE, Samantha "Bammer" and Grace "Boody" of Apple Valley, MN; Uncle Waldemar Diedtrich and family of Alabama; Aunt Viola Mitchell of Mobridge, SD; Mary Auske and family of Aberdeen, SD; Rose Marie (Ron) Newell and family of Aberdeen, SD; Chris (Cindy) Mitchell and family of Aberdeen, SD; Richard (Vicki) Mitchell and family Bluntte, SD; Peggy VanderLann and family of Redfield,SD; Betty Mitchell of Mobridge, SD and also the many other cousins.
Rusty was preceded in death by his Father Russell S Sunderland, Mother Rosina Sunderland (Helgeland), Daughter Tanya Rose Sunderland, Uncles: Fred, Arnie, and Jake Diedtrich; Brother in Laws Reuben Gall, Joe Fritza; Nieces Brooke and Dana Gall.
In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Grace Lutheran Church or the local Cub Scout Troop in Sisseton.