GALE BUTTERFIELD obituary

FARMINGTON, N.M. Gale E. Butterfield, 75, of Farmington, N. M., died of a heart attack Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, in Albuquerque N.M.

A memorial service will be held in Farmington in early January 2007 to celebrate and honor the many joys and achievements of Gale's life. Gale was born on June 29, 1931, in Norfolk, Nebraska to Gordon and Mary Butterfield. Gale was raised in Norfolk, Neb. And Huron S.D. He received his bachelor's degree from the South Dakota School of Mines and his master's degree from the Missouri School of Mines. After an eventful career in the oil industry that took him to Canada, Texas, Nigeria and Montana. Gale lived in Havre from 1972 to 1989 and retired to Farmington in 1989. Both the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Society of Petroleum Engineers had him as a respected lifelong member. He was a most delightful, cantankerous gentleman, who teased, tested, loved and won the hearts of all those who were lucky enough to know him. Survivors include his wife, Carol Butterfield (Geldard) of Farmington; sons, Mark (Angela) of Austin, Texas, Craig (Dani) of Salem, Ore., and Brett (Kim) of Jakarta, Indonesia; step-children, John (Terri) Bertelsen of Portland, Ore., Kenny (Crystal) Bertelsen of Gillette Wyo., and Brenda Richardson of Albuquerque, N.M.; grandchildren he was raising, Marcus Richardson, Ashley Richardson and Amber Bertelsen; and nine other grandchildren. Memorials to Gale may be made to the American Heart Association or an organization of your choice.