Francis T. "Butch" Bartush

Dear Lynda and Everyone Whose Hearts Were Touched By Butch,

It's been more than a year since Butch and I shared some time at the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Puget Sound VA up in Seattle. I remained on the planet while Butch went on to greater things. I remember the times in the Family Room, but more cherished is the one time Butch and I had the blood sample/transfusion (whatever it's called) room to ourselves...just the two of us...having one of those conversations that only two vets, unobserved, can have. What impressed me was how easily it was to be comfortable being with him. He cares deeply for others, especially his family and other vets. And yes, the use of present tense is intentional as I believe he took a part of all of us with him as well as we took a part of him with us.
I recovered quite well. And in his honor I bring my part of him into my work with the combat vets who have PTSD at the Roseburg VA Hospital in Oregon. I believe Butch is quite comfortable sitting with a bunch of combat vets, whispering a few words of wisdom into my ear to relay to those who really need him today. Thank you, Butch.

Dear Lynda, Shelly, Wendy, and Family,
After having lived across the street from the Bartushs for a dozen years, how I wish we still did and could walk a few paces to your door to sit with you and remember the years of memories we share with you. But here we are, half a world away and feeling the sting of Butch's absence as well as the lingering sense of distance in the midst of the grief. There is no substitute for physical presence at times like this. Having said that, I wanted to express for both Susan and myself the deep sadness and loss that we have felt in knowing that Butch took the one way train to heaven. And he didn't even stop over for a cup of coffee in the Alps before his departure. Boy, he must have been sick. To me, Butch was a brother, a neighbor, a buddy, and a man of God. I loved the guy, and I think he knew that. If not, he does now. And so do you. I was never merely his pastor, but always his friend. My respect for him was and is profound. How I miss him. And in some ways envy him. He is where I want to be. I know it's not yet my time, although a brain bleed did its best a couple years ago to alter God's plan. Didn't work. So I'm still here. We are in Switzerland, but ol' Richfield is still in our hearts. James Ave. was the happiest home we have ever experienced. And Butch was part of the reason I can say that. I've never had a finer and more generous neighbor. I have all I can do to stop writing. But I will. As I pray to the Lord about Butchie boy, I will put in my request to live in his neighborhood again in the next world. I may need someone to clear the snow from the driveway, hammer a nail, or simply drop in and cheer me up. That's Butchie. He oughta have heaven pretty well fixed up by now, and I'll bet God's letting him hang a star over the streets of heaven. May you know how close we are to you in spirit even though we are thousands of miles away. Love,
Richard and Susan Davis (Zurich, Switzerland)

Dear Shelly, Mark, Max, and Sam,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad and Grandpa.
May the good memories of him help bring you comfort. You are all in our thoughts.
Brian, Cindy, Nick, and Joe Saastad

Lynda and Family,
We want you to know that Butch was an inspiration to all of us in the Family Room of the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the VA hospital in Seattle.
His wisdom impressed us, and his smile brightened our days. We're thinking of you at this difficult time.

Dear Lynda, Shelly, and Wendy,
I am so sorry for your loss. May God's peace be with you. You are all in my prayers. Carrie Pavlicek Hallstrom (Maple Grove, MN)

Lynda and Family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your husband, father and grandfather. Please know we are thinking of you. Sincere Sympathy from your friends at Bachman's.

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Butch. He was a great man, and I remember him as a great softball coach! His smile will be missed at the ball fields watching his grandsons play baseball. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Dear Shelly and Wendy,

I will be praying for you and your family. I don't know exactly what to say. Butch is, to this day, a driving force in my life. I will always remember how he could set some of us unruly ones straight. He is a big reason why I care so deeply for the troubled students I face on a daily basis. He showed me love without condition. His loss is a reminder that I need to consistently strive to show greater love to others, no matter who they are. I hope you can find comfort in the fact he has had an impact on so many lives. I rejoice that he now has seen the grace that only Jesus can bring. I'm a much better person for knowing him and your whole family. God Bless.

Dear Lynda and family,

What a blessing Butch was to so many. He was a spark plug! A light!
May you rest in the peace the Lord Jesus gives!
With love, prayers and sympathy,
Dan and Kory

Dear Wendy,

I am so very, very sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I remember him well from our softball days and from hanging out at your house after school. He was a wonderful man and I'm sure he was a fantastic grandpa. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Love,
Beth (Bostrom) Lankey

To the Bartush family,

My deepest condolences to you for your loss. I have such fond memories of Butch. His sense of humor and positive attitude made him a great role-model. Although I was the younger sister who "tagged along," Butch always made me feel welcome and special. And he never missed an opportunity to make us laugh!

He'll make a wonderful addition to heaven, though he'll be missed thoroughly by those left behind.

May God be with you during this difficult time. My prayers are with you.

With love,
Angie Murray

Bartush family - I join you in mourning and celebrating your Dad's life.

Butch was the first great male role model I had in life. He joked many times that once he worked with me ad Steve as teenagers everyone was a piece of cake after that. Butch knew I was a rascal, but he was never afraid to confront me or tell when I was being a mess up. Then he would always still spend time with me. He taught me a deep sense of what Grace is.

When I grew up and was able to volunteer with the youth group Butch took me under his wing. He had such a passion for the kids of Richfield. I admired him deeply for that effort. I know 2 of my older brothers were impacted deeply by him and his life. Thank you Butch! I probably didn't day it enough while you were here.

Our love and prayers are with you all!!
Gary & Lynn Bolmgren