Kenneth Leroy "Buddy" White

Ken (Buddy) LeRoy White, 76, of Cumberland, died Wednesday, February 24, 2026 at Mayo Clinic Health System - Northland in Barron.

He was born May 3rd 1949 in Duluth, MN to Annabelle Potter & Kenneth LeRoy Sabot. In 1958, Robert (Bob) White became his step-father.

He attended school and graduated from Cloquet High School in 1968. After school he worked at Elk River Concrete. That same year he met the love of his life, Pam Moen, at the Richardson Dance Hall. On February 7, 1970 they were married and shortly thereafter he was drafted into the United States Army. His daughter Lisa was born in July of that year. He was stationed at Fort Detrick, MD. While there he was a medic at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC.

After his discharge he returned to Prairie Farm. He went to work at Ardisam and later attended UW-CBC and obtained an Associate of Science degree. His daughter Stacy was born in December of 1973. Throughout the years he worked other positions at Schwans, UPS and ended his career at Quanex.

Buddy enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with family, including his only granddaughter, Little Dolly. He was "that grandpa" that stayed home to babysit while "his girls" were out and about. This included, in his words - "it was so bad, I had to drop her diaper and hold her under the shower!"

In 1997 he gained a son-in-law, Jeff. His request was.."Give me some boys." "I've spent too many years with all these girls!"

Buddy enjoyed playing cards with many good friends over the years, you all know who you are. In the earlier years, it was poker at house parties and in later years it was dirty clubs. This included weekends at the campground where he and his buddy enjoyed Windsor Cokes and always shared the spoon with his first grandson, known as "Little Windsor".

He always loved to work in the garage on various woodworking projects. He instilled that love of woodworking, and made some birdhouses with his second grandson, affectionately known as "Putz".

When the third grandson came along, "the little Canadian", Grandpa's antics were slowing down some, but he shared his love for side-by-side rides. This included one memorable ride to Haugen Fun Days where there may, or may not, have been a bit of a ditch adventure.

The latest additions to his joy were his great-grandchildren, Bodie, who loves to fish and could always carry on quite the conversation with Grandpa, and Eddy, his little stinker, who always told grandpa, "Get up big fella" with her cheeky grin. His family was the pride and joy of his life!

In later years Buddy and Pam purchased their "little slice of heaven" - their cabin in Gordon. He loved to go there on weekends, making new friends as well as hanging with old ones.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Pam, his daughters, Lisa (Jeff) Skinner of Almena and Stacy (Ian Scott) White of Cumberland; grandchildren, Jensyn (Ben) Hines of Cumberland, Bryce and Brandon Skinner of Almena, Dugie Scott of Cumberland; great grandchildren, Bodie Hines and Eddy Hines of Cumberland; sister, Linda (Steve) Black and brother, Marty White; brothers-in-law, Gary (Lindy) Moen, Brad (Lori) Moen, Darrin (Terri) Moen, Trevor (Connie) Moen; sisters-in-law, Vicki Kallenbach and Gerry Moen; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Sabot; mother, Annabelle White; step-father, Bobby White; father-and mother-in-law, Vernon and Gerene Moen; brother, Eddie Potter; sister, Robin Lesky; sister-in-law, Joanne Potter; brothers-in-law, Mike Moen and Craig Moen; and sister-in-law, Peggy Nelson.

A visitation for Buddy White will be held Monday, March 9 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the First Lutheran Church of Arland. Services will be held Tuesday, March 10 at the First Lutheran Church of Arland at 11:00 a.m. with an additional visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.

Arrangements are being handled by Rausch and Steel Funeral Home in Barron. Online condolences can be made at www.rauschandsteelfuneralhome.com.