Thomas D. Butler

Thomas D. Butler, 91, passed away on January 3, 2012, at the Pembina County Memorial Hospital. A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 7, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Jensen-Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND. Burial will be held in the North Dakota Veteran Cemetery, Mandan, ND.
Tom was born September. 19, 1920, to Charles and Lillie (Sherritt) Butler in Logan, ND. Tom, the youngest of six children, spent his early years in Berthold, North Dakota where his father owned a lumber yard. The family later moved to Bantry, ND where he graduated high school.
Tom worked in the McHenry County Auditor's office until he joined the United States Army in 1942. After his honorable discharge as a Second Lieutenant in 1946, Tom attended the University of North Dakota, where he obtained his law degree.
Following graduation, Tom moved his family to Cavalier where he became a partner in the law practice of H.B. Spiller. Following Spiller's death, Tom continued practicing law in Cavalier, retiring in his mid-eighties.
On Nov. 9, 1944, he married Yvonne Thorson at North Chapel at Camp Haan, Riverside, California.
Survivors include his children, Tom Butler, Jr., Fargo; Lanny (Diane) Butler, Crozet, Va.; Deb Torkelson (Rick), Washburn; and grandchildren, Elisabeth Butler, Andrew Butler, Amy (Brandon) Miller, Katie Torkelson.
Tom was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church where he was an enthusiastic choir member.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, one brother, and son Jeff.
Prior to his death, Tom resided at Wedgewood Manor, Cavalier, with his wife Yvonne.
Clergy: Rev. Lori Broschat.
Music: Christine Hughes, Organist.
Military Rites: Lavern J. Thompson Post #11, Cavalier American Legion.