Butch James Esch Jr.

Laurence "Butch" J. Esch Jr., 80, of Hastings, NE, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2022, at his home in Hastings, NE.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Spalding, NE with Fr. Joseph Hannappel officiating. Interment will follow at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery with military rites conducted by American Legion Post #299 of Spalding, NE and the U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday at the church with a 7:00 p.m. wake service.

Levander Funeral Home of Spalding, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Laurence "Butch" James Esch Jr., son of Laurence "Shorty" and Cora (Sparks) Esch was born August 13, 1942, in Spalding, NE. Butch attended Spalding Academy and graduated with the class of 1960. After high school Butch joined the Navy and served his country until he was honorably discharged.

Butch was married to Donna French. From that union five children were born. Later he married Lynne Blakeley and from this union they were blessed with three more children.

Butch was a jack of all trades and enjoyed working with his hands. He grew up farming, ran and owned the gas station in Spalding and later became a Master Electrician. He then moved to Colorado where he owned his own business Lee Concrete. Before retiring he worked with his family at Horse Creek Ranch in Colorado. Butch enjoyed the outdoors. You could often find him hunting, fishing, and camping. He was also an avid collector of guns and coins. Most of all, Butch loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Butch is survived by his eight children: James Brian Esch of Hastings, NE; David Mitchell (Elaina) Esch of Carmichael, CA; Kristy (Mike) Frauendorfer of Lindsay, NE; Vincent Esch of Aurora, CO; Lisa (Todd) Wyman, of Silver Creek, NE; Charles Esch of Wellington, CO; Megan (Travis) Kassing of Columbus, NE; Cassandra Wiseman of Mukilteo, WA; 23 grandchildren: Ashley (Terance) Burrell; Justin (Amanda) Esch; Dakota Hiatt; Kateri Hiatt; Tyson Hiatt; Harley Vagus; Alisha (Phil) Kiner; Jeshua Esch; Laurence Esch; Angelina Esch; Shuraya (Brian Choat) Frauendorfer; Brayden Frauendorfer; Morgan (Ryan Perry) Frauendorfer; Lexi Frauendorfer; Sage Frauendorfer; Samantha (Derek Hanis) Wyman; Scott Wyman; Landon Esch; Emma Kassing; Leah Kassing; Jesse Kassing; Jorge Castaneda; Brock Wiseman; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings: David (Lynne) Esch of Broomfield, CO; Dennis (Kathleen) Esch of Omaha, NE; Pat (Arlene) Esch of Springfield, CO; Regina (Ron) Worthington of Omaha, NE; Paul (Sara) Esch of Fair Oaks, CA; Ray (Mindy) Esch of Platteville, CO; Tim (Yvonne) Esch of Spalding, NE; Judy (Don) Brown of Heber Springs, AR; Don (Linda) Esch of Syracuse, NE; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his spouse Ann; parents; one brother: Matthew Esch; son-in-law: Greg Wiseman; and three nephews: Jeff Esch; John Esch; and Joseph Worthington.