Gary A. Sutter, 81, died Friday, June 11, 2010, at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester.
Gary was born on March 19, 1929, in Minneapolis to Armand and Edith (Larsen) Sutter. Gary graduated from Austin High School in 1947. On Dec. 31, 1950, Gary married Charlotte Fogelstrom at Faith Evangelical United Brethren Church in Austin. Gary started working at the Smith Shoe Store at the age of 15, eventually owning Smith Shoe Store before retiring at the age of 65. He served in the US Army in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. Gary enjoyed spending time at his lake home up north and taking pontoon boat rides before dinner. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Austin Post #91, American Legion, Elks Club, Mower County Seniors, the Audubon Society, Austin Morning Lions Club, and Score.
Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte; his parents, Armand and Edith; siblings, Jean Movich, and Kay Pemble.
Gary is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law: Brian and Linda Sutter of Eatonville, Wash.; Ron and Helen Sutter of Lanesboro, Minn.; Kevin and Julie Sutter of Rochester, Minn.; Scott and Carla Sutter of New Brighton, Minn.; grandchildren, Amy and Matt Peach of Edmonds, Wash., Carissa and Jordan Mills of Federal Way, Wash.; Adam Sutter and Erik Sutter of Lanesboro, Minn.; Heidi Sutter of St. Paul, Minn. and Heather Sutter of Rochester, Minn.; Kaylie Sutter of Dodge Center, Minn., Sam Sutter of New Brighton, Minn. and Sydney MacGregor of New Brighton, Minn.; great-grandchildren, Emily Peach, Garrett Peach, Lilly Mills, Lana Mills, and Carter Meincke; siblings, Brad Sutter of Williamsburg, Va., Diane (Sutter) Nelson of Port Ludlow, Wash., Jon Sutter of North Richland Hills, Texas, Steve Sutter of Osseo, Minn., Mike Sutter of Bloomington, Minn.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, June 15, at First United Methodist Church at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Patricia Toschak officiating. Burial will be in Hoflanda Cemetery with Austin Post #91, American Legion, in charge of military rites. Visitation will be on Monday at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Tuesday for one hour before the service at the church.
Memorials may be directed to Hoflanda Cemetery Association, Mayo Cancer Research, or First United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are by the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary.