William F. Butsch

William F. Butsch, age 84, passed away on May 12, 2011 at his home in Kirkland, WA. He was born in Richardton, North Dakota on October 4, 1926. He was the second of three sons born to Lukas and Catherine Butsch. He graduated from Dickinson High School in 1944.  He served in the army for five years in Western Europe at the end of World War II.  He worked in the railroad, construction, and business industries as well as the state correctional department.

In his spare time he loved gardening, working around the house, baking, cooking, and bicycling. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was always there to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors. He was active in the Silver Sneakers program, Operation Sack Lunch, elections and in the senior and church communities.

He is survived by his son, William Butsch II, his daughter Kathy Vander Kooi and her children, two sons-Mark and David, two daughters-Susan and Connie, and various nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife Lori, two brothers, John and Julius and his sister, Sister Macaria Schmidt.  Donations can be made in his honor to the American Cancer Society.