Raymond "Butch" Leslie

Raymond “Butch” Leslie, age 75, of Mahnomen, MN, died Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Raymond Urban Leslie was born on March 4, 1937 in Mahnomen, the son of Raymond and Agnes (Wolbeck) Leslie. He grew up in the Mahnomen area and graduated from Mahnomen High School with the class of 1955. After high school, Raymond joined the United States Army where he served as a helicopter mechanic. On June 18, 1960 Butch married the love of his life, Helen Nelson. They made their home in Mahnomen and were blessed with seven children. Following his honorable discharge in June 1963, Butch went through several odd jobs until finding his place as a tandem truck driver for Thorson Construction, a job he continued for 30 years until his retirement in 1996. Butch loved his family and enjoyed every minute spent with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Butch was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt, fish, and snowmobile. He took great pride in his yard and would spend countless hours planting, landscaping and maintaining. Butch loved to play cards with friends and family and in his later years going to the casino. Butch is survived by his wife of 52 years, Helen Leslie of Mahnomen; two sons: Frank Leslie of Mahnomen and Matthew (Roxana) Leslie of Aurora, CO; five daughters: Deborah (Paul) Kvale of Grand Forks, ND, Theresa (Doug) Sattler of Fargo, ND, Margaret (Philip) Bruss, also of Fargo, Marie Leslie and Karen Leslie, both of Mahnomen; three brothers: David (Elaine) Leslie of Hibbing, MN, Steven (Stella) Leslie and Richard Leslie, both of Mahnomen; two sisters: Janice Bailey of Erskine, MN, and Linda (Ronald) Bjerk of Mahnomen; nine grandchildren: Timothy, Michael, Jenna, Jamie, Amanda, Kristy, Kiara, Kendra, and Matthew; three great-grandchildren: Ryker, Scarlett, and Braxton; and numerous nieces and nephews. Butch is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Robert, John, and Patrick Leslie and a sister, Jeanette Rowe. A Memorial Mass was held at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Mahnomen, with Fr. Tony Fernando officiating. Brenda Sorensen served as pianist, Jenna Kvale as Soloist, and Carol Liebl as the Cantor. Serving as honorary urn bearers were of Butch’s grandchildren: Timothy, Michael, Jenna, Jamie, Amanda, Kristy, Kiara, Kendra, and Matthew. Military honors provided by the Mahnomen American Legion Issacson-Bjorge Post #31 and MNARNG. Inurnment was this spring at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery.

Raymond "Butch" Leslie

March 4, 1937 - February 9, 2013