Erling "Butch" E. Naeyaert

At sunrise on February 2, 2025, Erling Edward “Butch” Naeyaert released his light and his loving spirit into the universe. He fought through nearly fatal influenza in December and was unable to overcome a reoccurrence in late January.

Butch was born December 21, 1946, the son of Edward and Josephine (Ciampia) Naeyaert of Superior, Wisconsin.

Butch’s parents preceded him in death, his father in 1989 and mother in 2016, as well as granddaughter Alexandra Barber in April of 2023.

Butch is survived by his loving wife, Nikki, of South Range, Wisconsin. They were married February 29, 2004, in the Loretto Chapel of the Miraculous Staircase in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The marriage created a blended family of 9 children … 5 daughters and 4 sons.

Daughters include, Tamberlane (Brian) Davidson, of Iron River, Wisconsin, Annemarie Flanigan, of Vass, North Carolina, Jolie Hagen, of Green Valley, Arizona, Elodee White, of Lakewood, Colorado, and Jessica (Ken Derick) Johnson, of Hawthorne, Wisconsin.

Sons are, Hugh (Ami) Naeyaert, of Sedro-Woolley, Washington, Jedediah (Misty) Moran, of Rochester, Minnesota, Ian (Allison) Naeyaert, of Solon Springs, Wisconsin, and Ryan Naeyaert, of Superior, Wisconsin.

Butch and Nikki have been blessed with an impressive number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Even though he was an only child, Butch had two brothers in spirit. John O’Brien has been in Butch’s life since they were boys in adjoining neighborhoods in Superior, Wisconsin. Randy Stone (deceased) was a kindred spirit who passed through Butch’s life, unexplainable, at varied times under various circumstances.

Nikki’s siblings, Curt (Donna) Pearson, of South Range, Wisconsin, Leanne (Smokey Moore) Peltzer, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Jolene Rubel (deceased) claimed Butch as an in-law, or an out-law, depending on the occasion.

Butch enlisted in the Navy soon after graduating from high school. He sailed on the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60) throughout the Mediterranean Sea, the North Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean.

After discharge he returned to his hometown of Superior. He spent time as a welder/fabricator for a local loading equipment manufacturer, an employee for a steel plant, a repair and fabricating mechanic for a large equipment manufacturer, a maintenance mechanic for a stone quarry, and a locomotive mechanic for the railroad.

Eventually, Butch renewed his love of the water. He studied and passed the Coast Guard’s requirements to receive his Maritime Engineer License. He sailed on various saltwater and freshwater vessels in the Gulf of Mexico, up and down the Eastern seaboard, the U.S. river systems, and the Great Lakes until his retirement.

He said that even in storms he felt as though he was resting in his Mother’s arms. Butch spoke of watching the full moon shining like diamonds on the prop wash.

After retirement, Butch proved to be a country boy at heart. He enjoyed all the animals he helped to collect on the hobby farm in South Range. Horses, goats, rabbits, chickens, dogs, and cats all had names, and all came to him when he called. Although he would have been willing to eat some of them, Nikki was not eating anything having a name.

Butch was a handy guy to have around. He could fix almost anything. He worked hard, cooked excellent meals, could do laundry, cleaned house like a professional. He could bathe a baby, comfort a crying child, was loving and generous. When traveling to new or unusual places he always smiled at the kids and the dogs.

Butch was unabashedly and unashamedly patriotic. He enlisted in the Navy at 17 and served 3 years, 3 months and 21 days. Upon his honorable discharge he rotated into the Naval Reserve so he could be recalled in case of a National Emergency.

He was inspired by his mother and father, who both served during World War II. His dad enlisted at 17, having lied about his age. When Butch’s mother tried to join, she was denied for not having a formal birth certificate. Josephine’s father had to go with her to vouch that she was old enough to enlist.

Butch was immensely proud that two of his children enlisted in the military. Annemarie served in the Army and Hugh in the Navy, both long enough to retire from their respective branches. Butch did not mention it often, but he was gravely concerned when either of them were in harm’s way. He always maintained that old guys should go do that, not the young people who had so much living yet to do.

Butch was a longtime member of the American Legion. He completely supported their mission to serve veterans and their families. He was grateful for the sacrifices of those who serve and their families who give much also. They all contribute to something larger than themselves.

Having suffered with PTSD for decades, he hoped the American Legion would continue to strive for suicide prevention, mental health support, and preventing homelessness amongst veterans.

Butch was a longtime member of the Belgian Club located in the Allouez neighborhood of Superior. His parents and grandparents were all members. His grandfather Napolean was a founding member, having helped start the beneficent support society when he, his wife, and his daughters arrived from Belgium.

Butch was a longtime member of AA. He was a contributing speaker and told his story to encourage others to take the steps needed to help themselves to a better life for themselves and their loved ones. He was a living testament to the good AA has accomplished in his life.

Butch was a man of many interests and accomplishments. He was an outdoorsman, a craftsman, and a builder. A competitive marksman, archer, cannoneer, and voyageur. He was a skilled hunter, who said the ravens told him where to stalk and a skilled fisherman who always made an offering of tobacco before wetting a line. He loved motorcycles; he rebuilt a 1956 Harley to original specs. He was an avid reader that wrote short stories for fun. He loved music (most kinds) and taught himself to play guitar. He did leatherwork. He built a working replica “Long Tom” musket.

When Butch passed in February,  people who did not know us well would ask me what kind of a guy he was.

The shortest way I can describe him is a cross between a Teddy bear and a Viking. He was a shepherd, a mountain-man, a mountain of a man, a tough guy, a loyal friend, and a committed family man.

Visitation will begin at 10:30 AM, Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church, 2022 E. 2nd Street, Superior, and will continue until the 12:00 PM Memorial Service with Pastor Sarah Gunderson officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Superior where Military Honors will be accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post 435 Honor Guard.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street, Superior, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.