Obituary for Noel James Sutherland

He was born on July 9, 1933, to Clarence and Bessie (Geddes) Sutherland at St. Ann’s Hospital, La Crosse. Several years later he was baptized at Seventh Day Adventist Church. He married Diane Noyes on October 22, 1955, at the Caledonia Street Methodist Church in La Crosse. Their 50th wedding anniversary was celebrated with a luau theme party with many friends and family and later, a surprise trip to Hawaii.

Noel attended public schools in La Crosse then graduated from Wisconsin Academy, Columbus, WI, in 1951. While working for Trane Company as a Production Scheduler, he attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and graduated in 1970 with a double major in Psychology and Economics. The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Psychology Department, presented him with a Distinguished Alumnus award in 1985. Additional credits were earned from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Engineering Institute. Noel continued with Trane Company for over 37 years. While doing so, he worked in the Internal Auditing Department and as Manager, Property/Casualty Insurance. After the Trane acquisition by American Standard, he was named Risk Manager-American Standard/Trane. While working in the Risk Management unit, Noel held a position on the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) Steering Committee and was a member of the Task Force on Product Liability Reform. In the interim, he was elected to Chair the Industry Sessions at three Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) national conferences. He was also a long-time member of the La Crosse Moose Lodge and Masonic Frontier-Badger Lodge No. 45.

From an early age, Noel was an avid outdoors enthusiast. He started hunting and fishing with his father at the age of five (his dad would carry him on his shoulders when the young boy’s legs tired). Noel continued the outdoor sports tradition throughout the years with his sons. Family travel was also a high priority. With Diane and his two daughters and two sons, trips were made to the East Coast and west to the Black Hills. There were also many camping outings throughout Wisconsin. In later years, Noel and Diane traveled to many of the major cities in the states. They also visited Canada, Bermuda, and enjoyed several trips to the Hawaiian Islands. Later, when travel became difficult, Noel turned his attention to writing. He attended writing classes at Western Technical College and became a member of several local writing groups. His efforts produced three book-length action-adventure novels with the final one being vetted by a friend who is a writer/editor/director in Los Angeles.

Additional time was spent on many home and land projects. Noel was always busy building; creating or fixing something that refused to work. The four miles of riding/hiking trails that ran through the valley and hills of his beloved backyard also seemed to always be in need of clearing.

He is survived by his wife, Diane; his children, James Sutherland and Timothy Sutherland, both of La Crosse, and Kristin Sutherland of Malibu, CA; a sister, Phyllis Greeno of La Crosse; grandchildren, Angela (Franklin) Seitler of Brooklyn, WI, Brant (Liesl) Springer of Milton, WI, Cheri (Sonny) Giesfeldt of Harshaw, WI, Jared (Sara) Springer of St. George, UT, James Sutherland Jr. of La Crosse, Courtney (Keith Jones) Sutherland of Cincinnati, OH, Marissa Sutherland of La Crosse, and Nicholas (Mec) Vescovi of Orange County, CA.

Noel is further survived by great-grandchildren, Emily and Alexander Seitler, Brynn and Tyler Springer, Sebastian and Isaac Springer, Nolan Giesfeldt, Nicholas, and Levi Vescovi; great- great-grandchild, Jackson Goane; step-grandchildren, Chris and Lucas Schultz and Isaac Giesfeldt; two nephews, Jason and Lucas Greeno; as well as other relatives.

His parents; beloved daughter, Kim Sutherland; son-in-law, Larry Springer; brother-in-law, Don Greeno; and half-brother, Clair Sutherland preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m., November 23, 2024, at Fredrickson Funeral Home, Woodruff Chapel, 4239 Mormon Coulee Rd., La Crosse. A visitation will follow from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

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