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06 Aug 06 - 03:09 PM (#1802841) Subject: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Ebbie (Please move this down below, Oh, Clonish Ones.) Susan Butcher had an extraordinary career in Alaska; her death may not mean much south of here. For us, however, it is a sad day. Susan was the first, and so far only, woman who with her dog team won the Anchorage to Nome Iditarod race four times. Beyond that, she became a good role model and an excellent banner carrier. RIP, Susan. You fought the good fight. |
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06 Aug 06 - 03:20 PM (#1802848) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Desert Dancer Oh! So sad. The year I graduated from college and before I came to Arizona I fulfilled a dream by spending some time in Alaska, to the beginning of winter in Fairbanks (where my first and only taste of dogsledding is a treasured memory) and summer in the Arctic Refuge. Soon afterward, from the Arizona desert I followed her story closely after that first win and in the next few years. Her web site has the text of the obituary from today's Anchorage Daily News: here. ~ Becky in Tucson |
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06 Aug 06 - 03:26 PM (#1802850) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Ernest So the world lost another extraordinary person with a story to tell... RIP, Susan. How about writing a song in her honour (and keep this thread up the line)? Best wishes Ernest |
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06 Aug 06 - 03:57 PM (#1802870) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Ebbie Great idea, Ernest. I would guess that there will be a number of songs written about her, even if it should happen that the songs have only regional circulation. Incidentally she was 51 years old. |
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06 Aug 06 - 04:46 PM (#1802899) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Sorcha Yes....very very sad......can't help but wonder what will happen to her dogs...... |
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06 Aug 06 - 04:53 PM (#1802910) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Maryrrf Oh no. I remember being so proud when she won the Iditarod. What a strong willed woman! |
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06 Aug 06 - 04:57 PM (#1802912) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Desert Dancer Sorcha, this is from her site, which I linked above: "So many of you have offered homes and help with the dogs- both temporary and permanent-THANK YOU. The dogs thank you too. The dog mushing community should be proud- what a great group of people! We already knew this but you have proved it yet again. All of the dogs are doing great. We have placed a few with friends and the rest are staying here at home in Fairbanks with our terrific live in handler. Their training schedule is right on track and they are all doing well so we are all set for dog placement for now. We will be posting more info on the dogs on this site in the future." There was the advantage, such as it is, of some time to make some plans for the dogs, I suppose. ~ Becky in Tucson |
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06 Aug 06 - 05:51 PM (#1802957) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Sorcha Good, because often 'hard' working dogs don't switch owner loyalty well. |
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06 Aug 06 - 06:15 PM (#1802967) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: gnu And only 51. RIP. |
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06 Aug 06 - 06:35 PM (#1802977) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: katlaughing Dammit...I followed her Iditarod runs and wins...I have often thought she was the inspiration for part of what made up Kate Shugak, the main character of Dana Stabenow's mystery series...lone woman musher out in the boonies. RIP, Susan, and thanks for being such a pioneer. kat |
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06 Aug 06 - 08:59 PM (#1803083) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Rapparee I bought a "Alaska: Where men are men and women win the Ididarod" tee shirt in 1998. Then I went up again and bought another, only it now read "...again and again and again" at the Susan Butcher shop outside Fairbanks. I also saw her dog yard. RIP...a wonderful person. |
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06 Aug 06 - 09:17 PM (#1803093) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: emjay And Susan's husband, Dave Monsen, is a musher also, and her two young daughters may have something to do with the dogs as well. Susan has not been well for some time, so the dogs are already familiar with the handler who has been with them. A lot of people cared about her and her family. Links to a website about Susan Butcher as well as articles about her may be found at ktuu.com or adn.com -- local tv station and newspaper. mj |
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06 Aug 06 - 09:32 PM (#1803100) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Metchosin Oh dear, so sad....she was one of my heroes......hits very close to home, this does. |
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06 Aug 06 - 09:36 PM (#1803106) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: GUEST,number 6 Sad news indeed ... quite a human being. May she find peace. sIx |
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07 Aug 06 - 07:43 PM (#1803974) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: skipy Unashamed refresh for those who have not had a chance to read this ladie's story. Skipy |
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07 Aug 06 - 11:01 PM (#1804084) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Sorcha If I'm not mistaken, I think it was breast cancer, again..... |
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08 Aug 06 - 01:09 AM (#1804132) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Desert Dancer She had been waging a battle against leukemia for a year and a half... -- Anchorage Daily News, on www.susanbutcher.com, linked above. ~ Becky in Tucson |
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08 Aug 06 - 01:22 AM (#1804135) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: catspaw49 Leukemia Sorcha. I too was saddened to learn of her death as she had fought hard and was a real inspiration all through her life including the very end. No sports junkie could have claimed to be one without knowing of the Iditarod and Susan Butcher. The need for bone marrow transplants grows everyday. Only through volunteer testing will the supply meet the demand. In a different racing, Rick Hendrick, NASCAR team owner of the cars of Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, and Brian Vickers, established a Donor Program to aid in many different ways. Lots of linked info on that site. Getting involved in Susan's name will keep some additional memories alive. Spaw |
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08 Aug 06 - 09:57 AM (#1804348) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Big Mick God be good to this wonderful role model. I will be sitting down with my 14 year old daughter to go over her website and talk of her life. Mick |
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08 Aug 06 - 10:43 AM (#1804386) Subject: RE: Obit: Susan Butcher, Iditarod Champ From: Sorcha I stand corrected....but at least I got half of it right....cancer. |