Boots Sunderland, 89, of rural Hazel Green, WI, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2017, at Bethany Home, in Dubuque, IA.

Funeral services will be at 10 A/M, on Monday, January 9, 2017, at the Miller Funeral Home, in East Dubuque, with Rev. Dianne Grace officiating. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Dubuque, IA.

Visitation will be from 2 P/M to 6 P/M, on Sunday, January 8, 2017, at the Miller Funeral Home, in East Dubuque.

Boots was born on July 30, 1927, in Dubuque, the son of Melvin and Elodia (Luthe) Sunderland.  He married Joyce Winkler on March 24, 1951, at Camp McCoy, WI.

He was formerly employed at the Dubuque Packing Company for approximately thirty-two (32) years and was a member of Local #150-A.  Boots loved to fish and after his retirement did some commercial fishing.  He enjoyed meeting with friends at Fred's Used Cars and the Fishing Barge.

Boots served during the Korean Conflict with the Merchant Marines.

Surviving are his wife, Joyce; children, Joanne (Kenny) Kunkel, of Hazel Green, WI, and Janice Grijalva, of Dubuque, IA; five (5) grandchildren, Tara (Doug) Riewski, Jeff (Kelly) Kunkel, Brian (Jill) Wubben, Rachael Wubben, Jennifer (John) Bellrichard; and eight (8) great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elodia & Neil Hanson; a son, Scott; a son-in-law, Jim Wubben; siblings, Jennie (Cliff) Waller, Helen (Joe) Houselog; and his in-laws, Ruth and Walt Hennessey.

A Boots Sunderland Memorial Fund has been established.

The Sunderland family would like to give "special thanks" to the nurses and staff at Bethany Home and Hospice of Dubuque for the wonderful care given to their husband, father, and grandfather.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com