Duane W. Elgersma

Duane Willis “Butch” Elgersma was born June 27, 1947, in Primghar, IA. At age 5, his family moved to Artesia, CA, where he spent the rest of his childhood, doing the things boys did in Southern California in the 1950s and 1960s, going to the beach, playing pickup baseball, and cruising the boulevard in muscle cars with friends. In 1967, Butch was drafted for service in the US Army and was deployed to Vietnam in December 1967. Like many of that era, he didn’t talk about his service to our country much, but he was proud of his service, and, later in life, highly valued the eternal connection he shared with those who have served in combat. A few weeks after returning from Vietnam, he met a fair-skinned, tall beauty visiting California on the winter break from her senior year in college. They talked all night and spent as much time together as they could for the weeks until she had to return to school. They wrote countless letters and enjoyed a few phone calls over the following months until they saw each other again at her graduation. In July of that year, she moved to Southern California to take a teaching job and “see where this relationship goes.” He proposed Labor Day Weekend. She made him wait a week before saying yes. On July 10, 1970, Duane and Evelyn (or Butch and Evie) were married. Butch started school to become a respiratory therapist while he plied his trade laying carpet, as they welcomed three kids into their home before moving the family to Sioux Falls, SD in 1977, after which they welcomed one more little one into the family. Butch worked as a respiratory therapist for many years in a hospital and enjoyed the second part of his career in home health care. He also laid carpet on the side to ensure Evie could stay home with the kids and all the children could attend Christian schools. He loved his work, but he was passionate about serving, mostly as a member of the church council and a member of several non-profit boards. During their time in Sioux Falls, Butch and Evie enjoyed camping, first with kids and later with an amazing group of friends, as well as barbeques and horseshoes in the back yard. After retiring in 2012, Butch and Evie started preparing to move closer to their children and grandchildren. In 2016, they packed up and moved to Omaha, NE, where their two daughters lived with their families. They enjoyed the freedom to spend time with and watch their grandkids grow up, along with some travel to spend time with family and lifelong friends. Butch was gregarious and hilarious at times, known for corny jokes and even cornier songs, and his wit was matched only by his wisdom. When called for, he was sincere and reverent. He was loving, generous, direct, and principled. He enjoyed woodworking, DIY, and cooking. He was a hard worker, a Sunday napper, and a staunch defender of the Christian faith. On the morning of Thursday, January 26, 2023, Butch Elgersma went to be with our Lord after a long bout with pulmonary fibrosis. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn (Dykstra) Elgersma, his parents, Dick and Josie Elgersma, his brother Bill Elgersma, and his sister Jean Sladky. He is survived by his sisters Tracy Van Hofwegen and Carol Gilman, his children, Rick (Monique) Elgersma, Rob Elgersma, Gina (Mike) Hostetler, and Annette (Mitch) Beaumont, and seven grandchildren, Katherine, Aaron, Alyssa, Leah, Tyler, Lucas, and Trenton. Memorial donations may be made to Sioux Falls Christian School and the Dordt University BJ Haan Worship Center Expansion Fund.