Douglas "Butch" Springsteel , 68 of Erskine , MN formerly of Spokane, WA and International Falls, MN, died suddenly on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at his home with his loving wife at his side.

Funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 5, 2016 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Military honors will be provided by the Ecklund-Holmstrom American Legion Post #117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793 and Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Douglas Arthur Springsteel was born on November 30, 1947 at Little Fork, MN the son of Douglas G. and Almira A. (Ames) Springsteel . He was baptized at the Assembly of God in International Falls, MN. Douglas was lovingly known as Butch throughout his life. He is a 1966 graduate of Falls High School in International Falls.

Butch entered into service with the United States Air Force in 1967 and was Honorably Discharged in 1971. He worked as an Air Freight Specialist, loading and unloading the cargo off of C-123's in Vietnam at Phan Rang Air Force Base.

On March 14, 1970, Butch married Barbara A. Johnson at St. Paul Lutheran Church in International Falls, MN. To this union 2 daughters were born, Michelle and Jennifer. They made their home in International Falls. Butch worked at Boise Cascade from 1967-1983 and was in partnership in C & S Auto Repair from 1983-1998 both in International Falls. After moving to Spokane, WA to be near their children and grandchildren, Butch worked at Alton Tire as mechanic from 1998-2006 and TireRama from 2006-2015. In September of 2015, Butch retired and the couple moved back to Minnesota to be close to family, and they made their home in Erskine , MN.

Butch enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, walking in the woods and being part of nature, going on cruises, watching football especially Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings, watching Gonzaga Bulldogs college basketball, and also enjoyed high school hockey.

Survivors include his loving wife of 45 years, Barbara Ann of Erskine , MN; daughters, Michelle L. (Kevin) Huggins of Colville , WA and Jennifer L. (Anthony) Hebert of Spokane, WA; grandchildren, Aiden M. Huggins and Abby M. Huggins of Colville , WA; siblings, Richard A. Springsteel of Ray, MN, Nola (Joe) Mercil of Brooks, MN, Laurie Ann Bitner (Dallas) of Lennox, SD, and Taffy Jo (Eddie) Vacura of Pelican Rapids, MN; mother-in-law, Ann R. Johnson of International Falls, MN; half-sister, Betty Johnson of International Falls, MN; and his dog, Freddie and cat, Ruby.

Butch is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, James & Estella Ames and Arthur & Ethel Springsteel ; brother, Jonnie M. Springsteel ; father-in-law, Gilbert L. Johnson; brother-in-law, Fred Johnson; brother-in-law, Daniel Wright; and several uncles and aunts.