Odean “Butch” Kelsay, 88, of Oak Grove, Minnesota, passed away at home on the morning of October 26, 2026. Butch had battled illness in the months leading up to his passing. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 2 – 4 P.M. Saturday, November 28th at Strike Life Tributes in Isanti.
Butch was born on February 22, 1938, to Elmer and Grace (Cutler) Kelsay in St. Paul, Minnesota. The youngest of the family, he was dearly loved by his older sisters, Dot, Alice, Marty, and Pauline. Butch was a proud father of four sons and two daughters (and 4 bonus daughters through marriage). He loved sharing his hobbies and passions with his children, passing along his love of fishing, hunting, golf, and just about anything that involved being outdoors. To his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was lovingly known as either Grandpa Butch or Grandpa Whitey, a nickname inspired by his full head of white hair.
As his health declined, Butch was able to spend time with all of his family toward the end of his life. These were moments they all cherished.
Butch’s greatest love was his wife, June. Although they found each other later in life, they never took a moment together for granted and always made sure the other knew just how deeply they were loved. Those around them often commented on how they acted like teenagers in love. Their affection for one another was unmistakable, and there was never a doubt about the love they shared. They were often telling each other “I love you a bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck”. Their relationship was a beautiful reminder that love can find you at any age or stage of life.
One of Butch’s greatest lifelong passions was golf. He loved traveling to play different courses and, in his healthier years, was rarely far from a golf tee for long. Even in his final months, one of the things he wanted most was to swing a club. Golf was more than a hobby for Butch; it was a part of who he was.
Butch was almost always found with a smile and never missed an opportunity to give his family a teasing hard time. That playful spirit was something he passed down through the generations, leaving his family with plenty of laughter and stories to tell. We can only imagine he is already up there giving his family and friends the same hard time, wearing that unmistakable, enormous grin, and keeping an eye on all of us.
Butch is survived by his loving wife, June; children, Jeff Kelsay, Jerry (Denise) Kelsay, Bonnie (Todd) Cumming, John (Jennifer) Kelsay, Jason (Patty) Kelsay, Jil Tveit; Bonus daughters, Roxanne (Allen) Hemming, Leanne Freyberger, Terianne (Steve) Shrigley, Lorianne Pendergrass; numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; his sister, Dorothy (Dot) Wilcoxin; and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Grace (Cutler) Kelsay; his sisters, Alice, Martha (Marty), and Pauline.
Butch will be deeply missed and forever loved by his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the memories he created, the laughter he left behind, and the love he shared so freely.
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