Charles “Butch” Kahut, age 86, of River Falls, passed away peacefully on Sept. 16, 2024, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, Minn. Born on Dec. 31, 1937, to Joseph and Ethel (Barron) Kahut in rural Pierce County, Wis., Butch lived a life marked by dedication to family and community. He graduated from River Falls High School with the Class of 1957. On June 6, 1959, he married the love of his life, Barbara Reis, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in River Falls. Their union was blessed with two daughters, Shelly and Jackie.
Butch was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a pillar of the community. He was steadfast in his support for his family, encouraging them in all their endeavors. His commitment to the community was evident in his over 30 years of service with the River Falls Fire Department, where he also served as Fire Chief for eight years. Butch was a man of many talents, enjoying hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors. He was a skilled handyman, capable of fixing anything that came his way, and his passion for woodworking resulted in numerous cherished creations that adorn the homes of friends and family.
Butch owned and operated Kahut’s TV for 25 years; he was also employed with River Falls Utilities for 14 years until his retirement in January 2000. Working these jobs as well as his ability to fix anything brought Butch to live by the saying “There isn’t such a word as can’t.”
In retirement, Butch and Barb found joy in spending their summers at their cabin up north that he built with the help from family and friends, and for the past 20 years, they were winter visitors in Sun City, Ariz.
Butch is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Barbara; children: Shelly (Bill) Kahut-Loomis, and Jackie Cobian; grandchildren: Cameron (Melissa) Loomis, Garrett Loomis, and Taylor Cobian; along with three Loomis great grandchildren. He is further survived by his sister Rita (Mike) Drier, and sister-in-law: Patti Kahut.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings: Donna (Raymond) Blank, Cleone (Oliver) Guest, Joe (Shirley) Kahut, Jack Kahut, along with many special friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church: 211 E Division St, River Falls, WI 54022. A visitation will start at 10 a.m. until the start of Mass. A Gathering of Friends and Family will be at 12:30-3:30 p.m. after church at the River Falls Golf Club: 2120 E. Division St., River Falls, WI 54022.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in memory of Butch to the River Falls Fire Department.
Services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of River Falls. For further details, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-425-5644.
