Richard William Mittelstedt Jr.

Richard William (Butch) Mittelstedt Jr. passed away January 2, 2019 at the age of 69 in his home surrounded by his loving family. Butch was born June 23, 1949 in Pocatello, Idaho to Richard William and Della Mae (Wheeler) Mittelstedt. In 1954, the family moved to a little farm in Hawkins Basin. Seen from the eyes of the children, they were in an adventure park. They ran wild catching snakes, chickens, bugs, and anything else they could catch. During their time in Hawkins Basin, their dad took them to a rodeo in Downey. Their dad bought tickets to win a pony. Thus, Dash entered their lives. Butch and Dash were inseparable. He rode Dash non-stop for hours. One day the family was visiting relatives in the Basin, and Butch and Beverly decided to raid the chicken coop. This was a life-changing experience for them for, you see, this is where they learned that chickens don't lay glass eggs... Butch was a free spirit from the time he was born. He was adventurous, fun-loving, and a jokester. One day while they were playing in some old buildings on the property, Butch captured a blow snake. Just about then, their mother called them inside for their naps. Butch, being Butch, was not going to release that snake. He put the snake in a jar and attached the lid. He then pondered where he was going to hide it. His mom's washing machine became his target. When they woke from their nap, Butch ran to the washing machine to find the jar with the snake was missing. His mom had a horrible fear of snakes so Butch was sure she didn't release it. They never did find that snake and hoped it didn't show up in their mom's wash. His sister, Lorraine, became his next victim. While outside playing, Butch tied a rope around Lorraine's waist and tied her to the clothesline. Out from the underground garbage dump emerged a porcupine. It started towards them and they ran to the shelter of the house, leaving Lorraine tied to the clothesline. She was frantic, running up and down that clothesline. Their mother was furious. In 1958, they moved to Idaho Falls. Winters were horrible, but summers were filled with boogie-boarding off the local canal. Butch raised many animals including: rabbits, pigeons, hawks, and even a falcon. The Mittelstedt family settled in Pocatello in 1964 where he attended Alameda Jr. High and Highland High School. Following Highland, his father taught him how to drive truck which led to him joining the Teamsters Union. He then started a career of driving semi-trucks for numerous companies, the longest term being with Bannock Paving; he later partnered with his son to form R.M. Trucking. On May 28, 1969, Butch was blessed with his first-born son, Shane Wesley (Mittelstedt) Ricapa. In April of 1972, he met the love of his life, Terri, when she shut the door in his face. That was the beginning of their long and beautiful romance. They married on July 15, 1972. They loved to ride his Harley and hang out with their friends. After a few years of being together, Butch and Tern started a family and had three children: a son, Richard (Bud), and two daughters, Casie and LaDonna. Throughout his life, he kept his love for the outdoors. He loved snowmobiling, boating, jet skiing, hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling, horseback riding, weekends at the cabin in Hawkins, and all the while he kept his love for his Harley. Butch enjoyed doing all of these activities with his family and friends, especially his brother Randy; they were two peas in a pod. Butch is survived by his loving wife of 46 years Terri Lyn; his children, Richard (Buddy) Mittelstedt, Casie (Sam) Casper, and LaDonna Mittelstedt; his three sisters, Beverly (Mark) Roberts, Renae Bentley (John Medley), Cyndi Cross; and his brother, Randy Mittelstedt; nine grandchildren, the apples of his eye: Teresa, Alysia, Kyle, Dakota, Richard, Saige, Supriya, Sahannah, and Jorel; three great-grandchildren, Zelda, ZaKye, and Jazper; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, all of which he would have a special nickname for. Butch is preceded in death by both his grandparents, Richard and Jane Mittelstedt; his parents, Richard and Della Mittelstedt; his son, Shane Ricapa; sister, Lorraine Williams; and a niece, Camille Cross. The Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at the Elks Lodge, 410 South Main St., from 1 pm to 4 pm. I will not say goodbye...for this is not the end, it only means I will miss you...until we meet again. See ya later, alligator. I love you forever.

Celebration of Life

01/26/2019 13:00



LDS S. Bannock Highway Building

5425 S. Bannock Highway

Pocatello

Idaho

83204