Edward "Butch" Burhans

Edward “Butch” Burhans, age 75, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2025, with his family by his side. He was born on July 12, 1950, in Breckenridge, MN, where he also lived in his later years.

He married Danita (Breuer) Weber on July 2, 1968. Together, they had six children: their first son, Matthew, who passed away in infancy; Michelle (Rick) Bullis; Sherry (Chuck) Berndt; Teresa (George) Boder; Jessica (Bill) Canevello; and Greg (Kasey) Burhans.

After marriage, Butch and Danita moved to Moorhead, MN, and worked for Cox Bakeries. When the bakery closed, they moved to Cloquet, MN, and continued working for Cox Bakeries.

In 1974, they purchased a bakery in Clara City, MN. In 1976, they also bought the café next door. They owned and operated both businesses until 1980. Butch was a skilled cake decorator and a master on the grill in the café.

In 1980, the family moved to Doran, MN, where they bought and ran Butch’s Bar and Steakhouse. Later, Butch worked as a liquor salesman for Griggs Cooper Inc. He won many awards and sales contests, earning trips to several destinations, including cruises, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., Louisville, Kentucky, Scotland, Helsinki (Finland), San Antonio, Texas, and the Daytona 500. We have heard many stories of him golfing at St. Andrews Golf Course in Scotland.

After retiring from sales, he purchased the Red River Taxi Company and operated it until just a few years ago.

Butch enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and playing cards with friends. He loved camping trips with his family and hosting gatherings for friends and neighbors. He was the best storyteller. His personality and charisma were inviting to everyone who met him. No one enjoyed life more than Butch. He always had a smile on his face and a trick up his sleeve. He loved the state of Minnesota and all it had to offer, including the lakes, forests, wildlife, and sports, especially the Vikings and the Twins, with which he had the privilege of meeting many of the players. In recent years, he enjoyed spending summers with his family at the lake.

He is survived by 5 of his children, his siblings Gary (Debbie) Burhans, Kay Thompson, and Judy Burhans, his grandchildren: Christopher (Rachel) Flesch, Christopher Boder, Kayla (Donovan) Kling, Kyle Oltman, Nicholas Bullis, Jacob Bullis, Zachary Canevello, Toby Burhans, and his Great-Grandchildren Marley, Eclypse, and Karlen. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orvis and Lillian (Arnesen) Burhans; his infant son, Matthew; and several of his closest lifelong friends, including Kevin “Shakey” McKay, Jimmy Rick, and Darren “DJ” Johnson.

He will always be remembered for his humor, his smile, his sparkling blue eyes, his contagious laugh, and the way he embraced life. He loved people, loved to laugh, and made everyone feel welcome.

A visitation will be held on Friday, November 28, 2025, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a service at 5:30 p.m. at Vertin Funeral Home in Wahpeton, North Dakota.