It is with sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Donald William Butterfield on November 28, 2011 at the age of 76 years old.

Don was born April 2, 1935 at a sawmill 4 miles east of McCreary, Manitoba. He was the second child and the oldest son of Jack and Mary Butterfield. At the age of 14, Don quit school and went to work, farming was his life and working with horses was his passion. With many tough hours of hard work for little pay, he was able to buy his own farm when he was 18 years old. He also logged in the Riding Mountain National Park and told many stories of using the horses to pull many loads of logs that he used to build his own barn and eventually his present house.

Don's other enjoyment was cattle, along with his wife Maxine, they milked cows for many years along with feeding beef cattle.

Don was an extremely hard worker and believed that the farm came first.

In his later years, he found a new past time, he enjoyed hooking up his horses and going for trail rides, many summer weekends were spent at Austin, Manitoba at the Thresherman's reunion, or at the Ride for Life and various Poker Derbies and numerous trips to the "mountains" Scotts' Creek. In the winter, he enjoyed riding in his caboose, but only after chores were done.

He also enjoyed competing in many Chore Horse Competitions as his team was so well broke that they could almost drive themselves. He won many trophies over the years including 3 years at the Western Agribition in Regina, Saskatchewan. He had many stories to tell about all of his awards.

His family was very important to him as well, he enjoyed hearing about his granddaughters' adventures and spoke highly of them whenever he told people how they were such good "chore girls".

Don was predeceased by his parents Jack and Mary Butterfield (nee Branconnier) and his older sister Isabel (Sally) Harper.

Left to mourn his passing, his wife Maxine of 46 years, his sons John and wife Carla, and granddaughters Hayley, Jackie and Julia of Laurier, Manitoba, son Norman and granddaughters Tera Johnston and Tiffany Tews and great grandson Wyatt Longjohn of Alberta, and special family friend Teresa Zurba.

Also, his brothers and their wives; Ken and Jeannette Butterfield and Marshall (Buck) and Lois Butterfield along with their families. Don had many close friends and family members who he enjoyed spending time with and talking for hours to on the phone.

The family would like to thank the pallbearers; Jim Butterfield, Gary Butterfield, Kevin Butterfield, Steve Gower, Ron Sonnenberg and Kevin Scott.

We also need to thank everyone who brought food, flowers, cards and kind words, we are truly blessed to have so many special people in our lives.

Many thanks to all our friends who joined the procession with their horses and wagons to the cemetery. A beautiful service was held December 3, 2011 in McCreary, Manitoba. Don would have enjoyed seeing all the people who came out to celebrate his life and to support his family during these tough times.

If friends so desire, memorial donations can be made in Don's memory to the Heart and Stroke Foundation 6 Donald Street, Suite 200 Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 0K6.

"Not gone... just waiting patiently at the end of the trail"

Dobchuk Funeral Home

McCreary, Manitoba

Telephone (204) 835-2004