Duane "Butch" Droge

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 AM on on Friday, March 1, 2013 at the Onamia Veterans Cemetery. Butch was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on April 1, 1954 to Shirley Droge. Unbeknownst to him at the time, he was brought home to the family’s farm in Johnsdale which would become his permanent home for fifty-eight years. Butch attended school in Onamia and helped operate the family farm with his mother and Uncle Lynford. In 1980, under Lynford’s skilled and ever-watchful eye and Shirley’s love for painting, they built a log home, on 23 1/2 acres of land, two miles south of the original family homestead. Butch lived in the log home and continued the family tradition of farming by pasturing Lynford’s cattle until 1990 when he acquired his own cattle and horses- Babe, Queen, King, Shadow, Smokey, Cinnamon, Ginger and Pal. Butch also had cats, chickens and dogs, including Lucky, whom he found on the side of the road. He grew corn and hay for his livestock until a car accident, in 1994, halted his major farming. Butch worked in the Onamia area at the Ratzlaff Sawmill, the Garment Factory and Grand Casino and also at a floral warehouse in Edina, Minnesota. Butch proudly served our country with 20 years of service in the National Guard where his duties included: Re-con Scout, mechanic, truck driver and cook. He served on the Lakes and Pines Community Council Board, one term First Vice Commander in the American Legion and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Butch was the fire warden for Bradbury Township from 1976 until the time of his death. Butch was known as a good neighbor who would gladly help a friend in need. He kept an eye on many homes throughout the Johnsdale area and the neighborhood will miss him. Butch is survived by his mother, Shirley Droge, of Mille Lacs Long Term Care Facility, Onamia, Kim Phipps, neighbor and good friend since 2004 and many relatives and friends. Butch was preceded in death by his Grandparents Thorvald and Rose Droge and his Uncle Lynford. Butch was humbly touched by the number of visits, cards, calls, letters and good deeds that he received during his illness. Butch, along with his family, are grateful to Kim Phipps for the care and concern she had given to Butch during his illness. Because of her care and concern, Butch was able to spend the last part of his life where it all began, fifty-eight years ago, in Johnsdale, Minnesota.

Tributes

Duane "Butch" Droge

April 1, 1954 - February 26, 2013