Norman "Butch" Coreson
June 3, 1941 ~ October 3, 2025
Resided in: Casselton, North Dakota
Norman (Butch) Heber Coreson, 84, of Enterprise died Friday, October 3, 2025 at Bethany Homes on 42nd, Fargo, North Dakota.
Butch was born on June 3, 1941 in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Thomas and Etta Marie Coreson. He went to school and graduated with a degree in criminology. He joined the Navy from 1958-65, where he fell in love with Sandra Ockert. Butch and Sandra were married on February 20, 1962. After retiring from the Navy he joined the Salem Police Department and worked there until his retirement in 1987.
Butch enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching the Packers and playing cards, he enjoyed spending time with his family and had a great sense of humor. He spent a good amount of time commercial fishing in Alaska and hunting anywhere he could. Sandra and Butch decided to leave the city life and move to the middle of nowhere to Enterprise, Oregon. After the passing of his wife, he sold the home and moved further East to North Dakota. Where he resided up until his passing.
He is survived his daughters Anita Neilan of Tri-Cities, WA, and Yvonne (Todd) Coreson-Hendrickson of West Fargo, ND; grandchildren Bradley of Moorhead, MN, Ryne of Spokane, WA and Alessa (Kristie) Blinsky of Moorhead, MN, Chad (Jessica) of Mapleton, ND, Desirae (Tim) Lyste of Finley, ND, and Amber of Wichita Falls, TX; six great grandchildren; and four brothers, Kenneth (Patti) of Enterprise, OR; Robert “Bob”; David (Judy) of Enterprise, OR and Richard of Portland, OR.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Sandra, and his sister Alberta “Bridie”.
Butch, brother and friend.
So many memories! Butch was always willing to help and would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it. We spent time together fishing, hunting, cutting firewood and playing cards. We had a path through the woods between our homes that we named “The Pinocle Path”. Judy and I played pinocle with Butch and Sandy
every chance we had, especially during the long winter months. Miss you Butch!
So many memories growing up! Yes, Sharleen, the memory of Grandma’s chocolate pie in La Pine is very vivid in my mind! No one else was getting a piece! But Uncle Butch always said it with a twinkle in his eye, a smile on his face and a chuckle in his voice! I don’t believe I ever missed out on a piece of chocolate pie! I also remember cousin Kim calling him, Uncle Button. And the stories!! Oh the hunting stories!! When those brothers and Grandpa got together, I’m absolutely sure that the fish, deer and elk got bigger and bigger!!
Then there were more memories in Enterprise. He and Aunt Sandy were always happy to see us. He was always interested in what we and our kids were doing. He was so kind to us all. He will be truly missed.
Judy Coreson
I have so many memories of Uncle Butch.. whether it was showing up at my senior year state basketball tournament or showing up randomly in Lapine to see how I was doing or hanging out when we were neighbors. It was all incredible having him as a mentor. But one special day stands out, we were hunting together down at the end of Day ridge and I shoot a big 3 point.. we spent most of the day together dressing it and packing it out, just talking about life and the future. He will always be in my heart.
If I was to lite something that reminded me of butch it would be a campfire! 🔥 grandpa and five boys (one being my dad) with Clint and his boys and all of our cousins and friends,we probably burned more wood along the mountain side than most people use to heat their house all winter. The fire was always big enough to let God in heaven know it was hunting season and to keep a watch over us. A lot of our relatives and friends are with God now watching for those campfires so please keep lighting those fires. -Special memories Butch and I shared- Key elements include two extremely tired fisherman traveling on a highway, a couple of totes of rotten herring spilled on said highway, At least several thousand hungry, excited seagulls selflessly gorging on fish. And a well dressed gentleman tailgating me in a convertible (w/top down) like he had pie waiting for him at home.Put all that together and let’s just say butch’s eye not only twinkled but they lit up like a new York Central Park Christmas tree that day. Birds bouncing of my windshield faster than the wipers could keep up with and depositing those outraged excited gorged birds in that convertible. What a mess but very few get to witness such a sight.
Another memory I have with Butch I wish I could let go was when I was just a young innocent teenager I took him to my favorite private silver fishing hole that a creek spilled out into the inlet and in that pool was the biggest and largest silvers in the state. It was private because you had 1 1/2 hour hike down a ridge thru the alders and devils club that had 4 1/2 “ needles that stung like the bald headed hornets. When we popped out on that private pristine beach we was faced with motorhomes with folks sitting in lawn chairs staring at us and wondering if the bear gave up his chase after tearing us apart.Well in short order Butch put on a performance for those folks demonstrating his combat moves very few people have ever witnessed or should see. After the demonstration I only wished I could still feel the sting of the countless nettles in my newly shaped form.
p.s. for his daughters,their spouses and kids.I couldn’t think of butch without thinking of sandy. Those two were not a pair but one.
Butch, you and sandy along with the others will always share my campfire 🔥!