Lavern Durheim

Lavern “Butch” Raymond Durheim, age 88, of Long Prairie, passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the CentraCare-Long Prairie Hospital.
A Memorial Service took place on Friday, October 9, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Long Prairie, Minnesota.
Lavern Raymond “Butch” Durheim was born on October 25, 1937, to Raymond and Jessie (Wright) Durheim. He was baptized on November 28, 1937, at First Lutheran Church in St. James, Minnesota, and reaffirmed his faith through confirmation there on May 2, 1954. He graduated from St. James High School.
Butch was united in marriage to Erma Lu Hoppe on February 15, 1958 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in South Branch, Minnesota. Their union was blessed with four children, whom they raised with a foundation of faith, hard work, and love.
Butch was a solid, dependable man who valued an honest day’s work and understood the importance of showing up for those he loved. Strong but fair, he led by example, inspiring his family through his dedication and the steady way he lived his life. When it came to his priorities, his family, his faith, and his farm each held a place at the very top. He gave himself wholeheartedly to all three.
While farming, Butch also served his country in the National Guard for eight years. He often said, “Farming is my life, but God is my partner.” Those words reflected the belief that guided him through the demands of dairy farming, raising his children, and serving his church and community. No matter how much work there was to do, he made time for what mattered.
In the fall of 1968, Butch and Erma purchased a farm outside Long Prairie, Minnesota. On January 5, 1969, during the children’s Christmas school break, he moved his family north in a snowstorm to begin a new chapter. That farm became their home and remained an important part of his life until the very end.
Butch’s dedication reached beyond his own farm. He served for 40 years on the Round Prairie Township Board, several terms as a church elder and congregation chairman, and several years on the AMPI dairy board. His willingness to give his time and take responsibility reflected his commitment to the people and community around him.
After retiring from active farming, Butch continued helping fellow farmers through his work at Long Prairie Fleet Supply for many years. He remained on his own farm for the rest of his life, close to the land he loved. His steady strength, enduring faith, and devotion to his family leave an example that will continue to inspire those who knew him.
Butch is survived by his wife, Erma; children, Cindy Kari, Maurice (Kari) Durheim, Mark (Christine) Durheim, and Timothy (Brenda) Durheim; grandchildren, Jessica Kari, Ben (Tara) Durheim, Amy Zimmerman, Jamie Durheim, Christopher (Ashley) Fink, Nichole (Tyler) Antil, Dereck Durheim, and Ashley Durheim; great-grandchildren, Aria and Kaj Durheim, Olivia and Everette Fink, and Ezra and Claire Antil; as well as his brothers, sisters, and many nieces and nephews.
Butch has journeyed to Heaven to join those who preceded him in death: his parents, Raymond and Jessie Durheim; parents-in-law, Clarance and Ollivene Hoppe; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Diane Hoppe; sister-in-law, Diane Durheim; and son-in-law, Gordon Kari.