Obituary
Kenneth Lloyd Butterfield
(Ken)
It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and good friend, Kenneth Butterfield on February 23, 2020 at the age of 83. As sad as we are to lose Kenneth, we are glad he is no longer suffering and has reunited with his mom, dad, sister and brother.
Ken was born at home on the family farm near McCreary on March 17, 1936 to parents Hugh John (Jack) and Mary Ann Butterfield (nee Branconier). Ken was raised on the family farm with his siblings Sally, Donald, and Marshall. He attended Rosamont School in McCreary and Woodbend School close to Laurier. Ken furthered his education by completing a Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic course which became his life long career along with farming. Ken married Jeannette Verhaeghe on November 5, 1960 in Ste. Amelie, MB
As a young man, Ken worked for Buchanan Lumber in his early 20’s in a variety of jobs. He was a farm hand on several farms throughout Saskatchewan. In his mid 20’s, Ken completed diesel mechanics training and worked with JS Quinn Construction and Brodsky Construction and a few others over the next 20 plus years. However farming was in his blood, so in 1982, Ken returned to full time farming for the next 25 years until he became ill with Parkinson’s.
In his leisure time, Ken enjoyed watching wrestling, western movies and a variety of tv shows such as Bonanza, Dallas and History Programs. They provided some of his greatest enjoyment at home. His family all agrees that his worst habit was the Toothpick, oh the containers of toothpicks found everywhere, but the short truck rides to anywhere around the farm and his interest in learning new things left his family with many wonderful memories.
Ken was known and well respected in his community and with his previous colleagues for his expertise on heavy duty equipment. Ken had a great sense of humour. He enjoyed jokes and was a good joke and story teller. Ken hated shopping as he figured it was a waste of his time.
Ken was predeceased by his parents Hugh John (Jack) and Mary Butterfield, his sister Isabel (Sally) Harper and her husband Bill, his brother Donald.
He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish many special memories; his wife Jeannette of McCreary, his children Cheryl and husband Derek Melnychuk of Langdon, AB, Al Butterfield and wife Maureen of High Prairie, AB, his grandchildren Amanda Keay of Edmonton, AB, Lauryn Melnychuk & Carter Melnychuk of Langdon, AB and his great grandchild Reese Desjarlais of Edmonton, AB, his brother Marshall (Buck) and wife Lois Butterfield, his sister-in-law Maxine Butterfield along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and many friends.
A celebration of Ken’s life will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 2:00 pm in the McCreary Community Centre, McCreary, MB
Should friends so desire, donations may be made in memory of the Activities Department at the McCreary/Alonsa Personal Care Home or to Parkinson Canada.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to visit with Ken over the last 6 years in the Personal Care Home. It was greatly appreciated by him and his family. Thank you to all of the doctors especially Dr. Adeseye Solie and the nurses and staff of the McCreary/Alonsa Personal Care Home for the wonderful care and compassion throughout his stay.
“God saw you getting tired, when a cure was not to be
He closed his arms around you and whispered, come to me.
In tears we saw you sinking, we watched you fade away,
Our hearts were almost broken, you fought so hard to stay.
What you suffered, you told us few, you didn’t deserve what you went through.
Tired and weary, you made no fuss, but tried so hard to stay with us.
But when we saw you sleeping, so peaceful, free of pain.
We could not wish you back to suffer all that again.
So treasure him, Lord in your garden of rest,
For here on Earth, he was the very best.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Kenneth Lloyd Butterfield March 17 1936 February 23 2020 (age 83)..
sneath strilchuk funeral services
Décès pour la Ville: Dauphin, Province: Manitoba