Clifford Oliver (Butch) DeSautell Jr., 90, of Pierre, passed away peacefully at his home on June 24, 2022, in the loving care of his wife, Genita, of 66 years, and his two daughters and son-in-law, Denise Garber and Deneen and Mark Clausen. Services will be held on Thursday, June 30, at 12:00 p.m., at Community Bible Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior, starting at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be Friday, July 1, at 11:30 a.m. (MST) at Black Hills National Cemetery. For those unable to attend the services, they will be live streamed the day of the service.

Clifford Oliver (Butch) DeSautell Jr. was born on December 22, 1931 in Buffalo, NY to Clifford Oliver DeSautell, Sr. and Louise DeSautell (Berchbach). The family moved to Texas where brother William and sister Shirley were born. Cliff’s mother passed away when he was 4 years old. His father went on to marry Norene Mowdy to which brothers Warner, Philip and Morley were born. The family moved to Monte Vista Colorado for a time until they eventually moved back to west Texas.
As a young boy, Cliff, nicknamed Butch by his grandmother DeSautell, was familiar with carpentry, having learned beside his father and uncles.

Butch graduated from Monte Vista High School in 1949. While there, he lettered in football and was in a local unit of the National Guard. Not long after his enlistment, while in Korea, he was promoted to sergeant.
Butch joined the Marine Corp as a young man and served as Gunner in the Tank Platoon on enemy lines. He was in the Baker Company Anti-tank, 7th marines, 1st Marine division, FMF.

It wasn’t until his later years that he spoke of his time in Korea, and that was at a minimum. However, he was proud to be a Marine and represented the branch well. Once a Marine – Always a Marine, Semper Fi – Always Faithful.

Butch worked at an airplane factory in California for a while after his discharge from the service before going back home to Texas to see his family. In 1955, he came to South Dakota with Clyde Colson, also from Texas, working for various Sully County Farmers and businesses; Butch then made his home in Sully County.

Butch met Genita Bush on blind double date set up by Clyde Colson and the romance took off from there. Butch and Genita were united in marriage on May 20, 1956 in Agar, SD. From that union they had three daughters, Delane Luella (deceased), Denise Louise, and Deneen Lisa. Genita and his three daughters were the center of his universe. Without hesitation he sacrificed anything for their happiness, safety, and well-being.

Butch eventually went into a partnership with Sheldon Bright as Onida Builders, until Sheldon’s retirement when Butch remained in Carpentry as DeSautell Construction. In 1982, Butch purchased Peavey Lumber, thus becoming DeSautell Lumber. He quickly decided a desk and office was not for him so he hired Jamie Nye to manage the lumber yard while he continued on doing what he loved, carpentry. Eventually Jamie and Jen Nye purchased the lumber yard which is now Nye Lumber. His grandson Colton Nye has followed closely in his footsteps of carpentry and is now managing the lumber yard.
After retirement Butch would drive combine during harvest time for the Colson Crew. He had a great time doing that with the crew and there are many stories from those escapades, some of which can be told and some probably shouldn’t be.
Butch loved hunting and especially fishing, they spent their summer weekends early on and made their summer home after retirement at Pike Haven Resort for over 40 years.

Once his daughters were grown and had families of their own, they would come to Pike Haven to camp or visit. They enjoyed fishing, boating, skiing, knee boarding, beach time play and cruising on the golf cart. The evenings were often closed with campfires and smores; no one could toast a marshmallow better than Grandpa. No one ever left or went to bed without individually hearing the words “I love you”.

Countless memories were made over the years at Pike Haven. Butch loved to sit on the deck with family and friends and have a wild turkey on the rocks (easy on the rocks) while sharing fishing stories and talking about life in general.
There were countless fish fries held on the deck and few could fry up walleye like Butch. He always ended the evening with whomever could join him by watching the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see followed by star gazing the night sky and searching for sputniks as he called them. During that time, not many words would be spoken but there was a quiet appreciation for just being there together.

Butch loved his country and his family beyond measure. He was the best husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend anyone could ever hope for.

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