Susan Butcher Memorial

Remembering a Legend

“Susan Butcher, Four Time Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Champion, Loving Daughter, Wife and Mother.” There is no doubt that in the fifty one years Susan walked this Earth, she has created an indelible imprint on those she has touched. Such an imprint is hard to put into words. The following is an excerpt written by David Monson (Susan’s Husband) in a journal he kept and posted for everyone trying to keep connected to Susan’s valiant battle against Leukemia;

06-Aug-06 04:27 AM —

“Susan left us at 3:25 pm August 5, 2006. It was peaceful; the rest after her greatest race. We told her we would be OK. That she had made us strong enough to carry on. When she was sure that we were ready, she was gone.”

“Tonight the girls and I took a ferry to Bainbridge Island. It was a peaceful passage from the turmoil of the city to a quiet spot she loved. Tekla wore her mother’s necklace and Chisana wore her rings. We sat silently near the shore and looked up. The sky was an explosion of stars. I asked Chisana which one she thought was her mom. She sat on my lap and studied the sky for a long time finally she pointed and said ‘I think that one. But don’t worry she is not alone.’ Neither are we. She will be guiding us from that star.”

These words speak volumes about Susan, her passion for life, and her love for her family.

Videos of Susan Butcher

Courtesy of Iditarod Insiders™.

• DeeDee on Susan: March 13, 2006. 01:04.
• According to Susan: March 11, 2006. 01:42.
• Interviews — Butcher & Swenson in 1996. 02:46.

Related News Stories

• Anchorage Daily News - Craig Medred on Butcher
• Anchorage Daily News - Butcher leaves loving memories
• Frontiersman - Toughness set Butcher apart
• Alaska Public Radio - Alaskans mourn Butcher loss
• Fairbanks News-Miner - Susan Butcher loses fight
• Fairbanks News-Miner - Butcher’s faith in girls
• Los Angeles Times - Dogsledder was a true champion
• Los Angeles Times - Butcher inspired global interest
• Reuters - Iditarod dog race champion Susan Butcher
• Washington Post - Susan Butcher, Iditarod dog sled champion racer
• USA Today - Dogs were light of her life
• New York Times - Butcher a pioneer in sled dog racing
• Seattle Post Intelligencer - Mushers remember Susan's grit
• ABC News - 4-Time Iditarod champ Susan Butcher
• Click for more news on Susan Butcher

Related Links

• Photos of Susan Butcher
• Susan Butcher’s Website
• Susan Butcher Family Center
• Trail Breaker Kennel Photos

Send Your Condolences

The Monson Family
PO Box 60249
Fairbanks, Alaska 99706
office@trailbreaker.alaska.com