Larry "Butch" Lovas

Larry Halvor Lovas, 81, known to all as “Butch,” passed away on August 8, 2025, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Butch was born April 3, 1944, to John and Florence (Bjelde) Lovas. Upon his birth, a nurse proudly placed him in his father’s arms saying, “Here is Butch,” a name that would stick with him for life. Traill County became his lifelong home, where he was baptized at Blanchard Lutheran Church, confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, attended Blanchard School #2, and graduated from Mayville High School in 1962.

Following graduation, Butch attended North Dakota State University until he joined the Army National Guard, where he trained as a certified welder. During his service, a heart defect was discovered, leading to a medical discharge. A farm accident that took his young brother’s life followed by the death of his father when Butch was 20 years old, he returned home to run the family farm to help support his mom and younger brother Warren. In September 1967, he underwent open-heart surgery to repair his defect at the University of Minnesota under Dr. C. Walton Lillehei, a pioneer in the field. Just two months later, on November 25, 1967, he married the love of his life, Jacqualine Cary, in Moorhead, MN.

Known for his quick wit and memorable one-liners, he found joy in “the call” as an auctioneer. Over the years, he worked countless farm equipment and household auctions, 4-H premium sales, and volunteered at local charity events. Not only blessed with the gift to gab, but a beautiful singing voice for many weddings, funerals, church choirs and in later years the men’s group Traillblazers. Still, his deepest calling was to the land he farmed.

A lifelong member of Blanchard Lutheran Church, Butch served as a deacon until its closing in 2010, after which he and Jackie joined Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Hillsboro. He farmed in Blanchard Township until his retirement in 2009. Winters often found him driving a semi for AH Newman Trucking or skiing the slopes with family and close friends. Summers were filled with softball games for the Clifford “Old Crows” and Friday night lights at sprint car races, both locally and on the World of Outlaws circuit.

Butch took pride in his community—watching the opening of the American Crystal Sugar Beet plant in Hillsboro in 1974, serving on various boards, and helping guide projects like the addition of the Sun Center Apartments at the Lutheran Memorial Home. Even after stepping back from full-time farming, Butch could be found behind anything with a steering wheel, or farm shop, either at his son-in-law Pete’s, or his cousin Pete. He made bakery runs as an excuse to drop in and visit them or to just chew the fat. A Diet Coke can and his favorite farm hat were his uniform.

In the spring of 2024, Butch suffered a stroke, yet he remained connected to farm life until his final harvest in August 2025.

Above all, Butch was a family man and a stranger to no one. His greatest joy came from raising his three children — Bryan, Angie and Jill — with Jackie, his partner of 57 years. He adored his eleven grandchildren, cheering them on at sporting events, concerts, and countless activities. Butch lived for those he loved, and those he loved will remember him always.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents John and Florence Lovas, his brothers Lynn and Warren Lovas. Butch is survived by his wife, Jackie; son Bryan Lovas of Tooele, UT, and his children Lily, Emma, John, and Jacob; daughter Angela (Pete) Kritzberger of Hillsboro, ND, and their children Evan, Zoe, Ali, and Nina; daughter Jill (Kelly) Geiger of Reiles Acres, ND, and their children Sophia, Josie, and Lincoln. He is also survived by his sisters VonDa Lee (Dennis) Grandalen of Wahpeton, ND and Mary (Ken) Beckman of Hillsboro, ND; sisters-in-law Gloria (Bob) Danielson of Fargo, ND and Laenea (Ralph) Jackson of Winnipeg, Canada; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends too countless to name.

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 14, from 5–7 p.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Hillsboro, ND, with a prayer service to follow. Funeral services will take place Friday, August 15, at 2 p.m., with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Hillsboro. Memorials are preferred to Our Saviors Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.