Susan Butcher loses battle

Anchorage Daily News ^ | 08/05/2006

[Chena]

Four-time Iditarod champion Susan Butcher died Saturday in a Seattle hospital of complications from a recent bone marrow transplant, a hospital spokeswoman said. She was 51.

[Chena]

I was shocked and saddened to hear that Susan Butcher lost her battle today. May God comfort her family and friends, and her beloved dogs. She'll never be forgotten.

[Chena]

[null and void]

Damm. God? We're sending you another good one.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

RIP, Susan.

[redhead]

...Awwww...That's sad. She was an icon.

[Chena]

Amen. My heart goes out to her husband, David Monson. I'm shocked, just shocked.

[Chena]

She sure was, redhead. And she'll always be loved and remembered. I hope that brings some peace to her family.

[originalbuckeye]

I had no idea that she was ill. Prayers for her family.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

RIP Susan Butcher. It was because of her that I first heard about the Iditarod. Her efforts and winnings put that race on the map! She was a true pioneer - first to take a sled/dogs to the top of Mount McKinley, as well.

[ASOC]

Alaska, where men are men, and women win the Iditarod!

1049 miles of frozen landscape, huge burns to traverse and ground blizzards that could kill (you , your dogs or both).

RIP Susan, enjoy your peace now.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

After Susan Butcher won the Iditarod, a very popular tee-shirt throughout the north (Yukon as well as Alaska) said: "Alaska: Where men are men, and women win the Idatarod".

[Chena]

I've followed the Iditarod ever since I was a little girl and my father introduced us to the wonders of Alaska and the Iditarod too. I remember when the first woman, Libby Riddles, won the Iditarod, and Susan was next in line to prove that women can compete AND win. "Alaska: Where Men are Men and Women win the Iditarod". Ahhhh, that phrase sold ALOT of t-shirts and bumper-stickers.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

You beat me to it -- I guess you were there too.

[Chena]

Wow, all of us remembered that saying! LOL

[BruceysMom]

I envied and admired her life. I grieve her death. Prayers for those left behind, both four and two legged.

[Bear_Slayer]

ALASKA

Where the men are men . . . and the women win the Iditarod!

[Larry Lucido]

Shoot, we were just up there last week on the riverboat cruise. I know it couldn't have been Susan who was giving the demonstration on the sled dogs, but it sure looked like her. My wife will be sad to hear this.

[Chena]

She was such an inspiration. She leaves behind not only her beloved husband, but also two young daughters....only 10 and 5 years old. Perhaps someday they will follow in their mother's footsteps. For now, we'll be keeping them all in our prayers.

[Chena]

In spite of the fact I live up here, I've never gone on the riverboat tour. One of these days I will. I wish I had gone when Susan was still able to host the demonstrations.

[ASOC]

Worked the race as a ham and later with GCI, the communications sponser.

Sort of been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

Too old now tho : ( just too cold for me in the bush.