Michael Ellis

Longtime Alaskan Michael Albert "Butch" Ellis, 52, died Jan. 20, 2011, at home in Delta Junction.

A service will be at 3:30 p.m. today at the Clearwater Baptist Church in Delta Junction.

Butch was born Aug. 18, 1958, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Albert and Carla Ellis.

Butch traveled to Alaska in 1977 and operated a jet-boat service in Willow. In 1983, he relocated to Delta Junction. He was one of the early Arctic Man racers, skiing behind a snowmobile at speeds most of us never reach on the highway. An avid outdoorsman, Butch loved to ski, golf and had a lifelong passion for hunting waterfowl.

In 1992, Butch met Bethe, the woman who became his wife and the mother of his two daughters. Butch sold his prized motorcycle and bought a truck with a camper so that he could introduce the girls to camping. Later, when the girls were older, he bought another motorcycle and taught Emmie to ride. She quickly grew to love motorcycles as much as her father. Butch encouraged his daughters' interests: skiing, skating, volleyball, horseback-riding and softball. As a true, good Alaskan dad, Butch took his daughters hunting.

Butch operated a hunting guide business and drove a school bus for Alaska Motor Coaches. He later worked as a heavy-equipment operator with the City of Delta Junction, eventually becoming the public works manager.

Butch joins his grandparents, Al and Ruby Taylor; and his father, Albert Ellis.

He is survived by his wife, Bethe, and daughters, Grace, 16, and Emmie, 14, of Delta Junction; his mother, Carla; sisters, Lora and Tracy; niece, Alexandria; aunt, Glamae (Dave) Griggs; uncle, Arlen Taylor; and many extended family and friends.

Bethe wrote: "Butch won his battle with cancer. It may have taken his life, but it did not take his spirit. He left this life just like he wanted, at home, in Alaska, with me by his side. He was very done with this earthly body and was ready to see what's next. He was a wonderful husband, father and best friend, and we will miss him terribly. We already do."