(formerly Kiester) – John T. Sunding, age 81, of Hermosa, South Dakota, passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, August 1, 2024. To honor John’s life, a wake will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. with Pastor John Malm officiating. Refreshments will be available following the service. Please visit www.nasinecfh.com to share online condolences with the family.
John Theodore was born to Clarence and Alvina (Voight) Sunding on December 3, 1942 in Highmore, South Dakota, where he grew up and graduated from high school. He began his career driving cattle trucks and then proudly drove dump trucks to build the Oahe Dam in Pierre, South Dakota. He began working as a telephone repairman for Sulley Butes in Highmore, South Dakota. He was married and had two daughters, Kim and Jennifer; the couple later divorced. John moved to Minnesota in 1971 where he worked for GTE and took several courses to further his education for the telephone business.
On April 26, 1975, he married Kathleen Heetland at the First Presbyterian Church in Lakota, Iowa. The couple moved to Kiester where they had their two daughters, Sara and Lisa. He lived a full life and was always very involved in his community, being an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and its board, a Boy Scout leader, a member of the Kiester Community Ambulance (EMT) and the Kiester Fire Department. John was also an active member of the Albert Lea Elks Club, serving as an officer for many years, holding various offices and being the club’s Exalted Ruler.
He then retired from Frontier Telephone Co. in 2009. Kathy and John then decided to build a new home in Hermosa, South Dakota, where he enjoyed spending time with his family, doing projects, and helping neighbors. Among many other interests, he spent his time riding ATVs with friends and family, fishing, ice fishing, playing cards, riding motorcycles, camping, and hunting. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.
John is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen, of Hermosa, South Dakota; four children: Kim (Joe) Balabon of Arizona, Jennifer (Jon) Mutschler of Bricelyn, Sara Salisbury (Tom) of Wells, Lisa Sunding of Kiester; four grandchildren: Brandon (Katy) Mutschler of Mounds View, Blake (Brittany) Mutschler of Kiester, Nicholas Sunding (Quinlin Tuttle) of Hermosa, South Dakota, Cody Paal (Maddie Hassebroek) of Wells; four great-grandchildren: Lorelei and Soran Mutschler, Cal and Tripp Mutschler; sister-in-law, Marilyn Mutschler; brothers-in-law: Bruce (Dawn) Heetland, Doyle Thompson, Bruce Sunding; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
He was predeceased by his parents and parents-in-law Ronald (Gretchen) Heetland, his brother Loren Sunding, his sister Joyce Thompson, his grandson Jordan Mutschler, his sister-in-law Linda Sunding and his brother-in-law Gary Heetland.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s memory to: Stillwater Hospice, 3117 W Rapid St. Rapid City, SD 57702 or Adult Day Care Center of the Black Hills, 4110 Winfield Ct., Rapid City, SD 57701.
