Blaine “Butch” Diesslin was born to Evelyn and Albert Diesslin on March 8, 1943. He died at the age of 82 on June 18, 2025 at Carefree Living in Babbitt, MN. Butch was surrounded by his loving family and dearest life companion Lucy.
Butch graduated from Johnson High School in St. Paul, MN, from there he graduated from Mankato University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in teaching, and then from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a Masters in physics. He taught physics and computer science at Vermilion Community College until retirement.
Community involvement was very important to Butch. He served on the Ely Community Hospital Board, was a longtime Kiwanis Club member and was active with the Dorothy Molter Board for 20 years. In addition, he served on the Administration Council at the Ely United Methodist Church and served in some capacity at Sommers Canoe Base (Boy Scouts) for nearly 60 years.
Butch is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lucille of Ely, MN; his seven siblings, Carol (Ken) Palman of Colorado Springs, CO; Nancy Starzicki of White Bear Lake, MN; Michael Diesslin of St. Paul, MN; Judy (Jim) Gift of Winterville, NC; Cynthia (Nigil) Cooper of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; Lisa Diesslin of Maplewood, MN and Steve (Nancy) Diesslin of Plymouth, MN, along with many nieces and nephews as well as many great nieces and great nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Evelyn and Albert, brother-in-law Gary Starzicki, and sister-in-law Ginny.
Funeral services for Butch will be held on Thursday, June 26 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A reception will be at Grand Ely Lodge following the service.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely, MN.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Ely United Methodist Church or Sommers Alumni Association.
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