Burton Duane Baldwin (Butch)

Pierpont, SD

1935?, 2757, Narrows, SP-3,

CUSTER - Burton Duane (Butch) Baldwin passed away June 13, 2006 at Austin Medical Center, Austin, MN.

Butch was born July 19, 1917 in Chester, SD to Norma (Knutson) and Charles Baldwin. The family moved to Pierpont, SD where he grew up and graduated from high school. He attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD.

After his school years, Butch worked in Aberdeen and Sioux Falls, and was most proud of the time he served in the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) in Custer State Park at Camp Narrows. It was at that time that he met most of his lifelong friends and fell in love with the Black Hills. He moved to Denver, CO where he worked as a machinist. There he met the love of this life, Dorothy Alice Kleomenis to whom he was married for 60 years. To this union were born one daughter, Ann, and three sons, Steve, Brian, and Chris.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Butch joined the Navy and served four years in World War II, mostly in the South Pacific. Upon his discharge, they lived and worked in Denver. They moved to Custer, SD in 1946 where they owned and operated Butch's Standard Service. Semi retiring in 1972, and fully retired by 1980, Butch and Dorothy traveled extensively throughout North America, especially the West, spending their summers in Custer. They eventually settled in Adams, MN. Butch enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and family, especially the times spent with his young children on weekend picnics, camping, fishing and going for Sunday rides in the Hills.

Butch was president of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and charter member/first president of Custer Lutheran Fellowship while living in Custer. He was active in city, school and county government as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Boy Scouts of America. He took great pride in his service station business and was active in the Standard/Amoco Oil Company organization for many years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Owen and Leland, one sister, Careen, a grandson, Michael, and his wife Dorothy in 2002.

He is survived by one daughter, Ann (Larry) Tompkins of Adams, MN; three sons, Steve (Judy) Baldwin of Custer, SD; Brian (Sharla) Baldwin of Georgetown, TX; Chris (Gigi) Baldwin of Northridge, CA; 14 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; two sisters, Lovetta Boe, Claremont, SD and Jewel Harkleroad, Yerington, NV, many nieces and nephews. His love and wisdom will be missed by family and friends.

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