PULASKI, WI – Richard “Butch” Sihtala Jr., age 60, formerly of Ishpeming, MI, passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay, following a courageous battle with lung cancer, while in the comforting care of his family and hospital staff.

Butch was born on November 2, 1965, in Ishpeming, MI, the only child of Richard Sihtala Sr. and Cathy Keto. He was raised in Ishpeming and graduated from Westwood High School with the Class of 1983, where he played football and developed a lifelong love of the outdoors. Following graduation, he proudly served in the United States Army for four years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1987.

After his military service, Butch returned to Ishpeming where he worked at Ishpeming Steel, Elaine’s, and later Mather Nursing Home in the maintenance department. While working at Mather Nursing Home, a mutual friend introduced him to his future wife, Theresa Denofre. The couple moved to Wisconsin in 1994 and were married in Marquette in 1998. While living in Wisconsin, Butch worked for Pioneer Metal Finishing in Green Bay before spending the rest of his career at Kimberly-Clark in Marinette until his retirement in 2024.

Butch was a member of AMVETS in Ishpeming. He had a deep love for the outdoors and enjoyed golfing, playing baseball, fishing, and camping. He especially cherished time spent with friends and loved ones. An avid Green Bay Packers fan, Butch enjoyed attending Packers and Brewers games with Theresa and followed the Green Bay Blizzard. He was a devoted dog dad and lover, and rarely missed attending the Norway fair, a tradition he kept for over 40 years.

Butch will be remembered as loyal, one-of-a-kind, and strong-willed, with a proud Finnish spirit.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Theresa; his daughter, Karen (fiancé Carlos) Townley; and the two daughters he loved as his own, Nina (Joe) Walton and Natalie (Drew) Walker; he is also survived by his five grandchildren, Jere, Wesley, Rylee, Haylee, and Louie; his father, Richard Sihtala Sr.; and Gene Keto; his mother-in-law, Judy Denofre; a godson, David K.; Butch is also survived by many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and his longtime friends, Daryl and Jeanne Lampela and their family.

Butch was preceded in death by his mother, Cathy Keto; his father-in-law, Jerry Denofre; his paternal and maternal grandparents; his grandson, Nicholas; and second mother, Liz Sihtala; along with his beloved pets.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay and the Bellin Cancer Team for their compassionate care, as well as the staff at the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center and the volunteers at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at the Bjork and Zhulkie Funeral Home in Ishpeming on Friday June 26, 2026. Butch’s family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Daryl Lampela will officiate. Immediately following the service, a luncheon will be held in the K/D Hall at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a contribution to your local veterans group in his honor.

A full obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends are invited to leave notes of remembrance.