Carroll "Butch" L. Thurston

Carroll “Butch” L. Thurston, passed on October 19, 2023 at MorningStar Memory Care at Bear Creek. He was born November 20, 1946, in Mankato. Minnesota to Carroll H. Thurston and Bernice Mans Thurston. Raised on a dairy farm in Nicollet, Minnesota, he graduated from Nicollet High School in 1964 where he developed lifelong friends. He went on to graduate from Control Data Institute as a computer technician. He used that skill at Control Data Corporation for 24 years (traveling the United States and Europe), eventually a relocation opportunity brought his family to Colorado Springs. After a layoff he had the opportunity to build two liquor stores, Spirits at Manitou and Spirits at Westwind. Anyone who walked through Butch’s doors would be get special customer service with his unique dry humor and knowledge of his products, especially wines, single malts, and beers.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lucille “Lucy” Galles Thurston, his son Aaron Thurston (Melody) and daughter Amanda Thurston (Keith Manske), along with 3 grandchildren, Danielle Thurston-England (Christopher England), Tyler Westberg and Jessie Westberg, and 2 great-grand daughters Mazikeen and Cirilla England, sisters Ann (Bob) Erickson and Barb Magers, and nieces and nephews. After retirement. traveling continued with cruises both on the ocean and rivers of Europe, and trips to the Gulf for month long escapes from Colorado winters. He immersed himself in areas of interest throughout his life: World War II aviation, photography, beer memorabilia collecting, anything Colorado--mines, ghost towns, railroads, and mountain passes. He loved to host visitors for day long tours of Cripple Creek and Victor along Old Stagecoach and Gold Camp roads, or rambling along old mining roads that could only be described as 4-wheel trails, using his Cadillac Escalade like it was a jeep. He loved exploring and discovering ancient historical ruins even in areas that he probably shouldn’t have been. He eventually bought a piece of Colorado high country and built his “happy place” cabin where he would spend weekends chopping up dead trees so as to always have a supply of wood for his campfires and fireplace.

His dry sense of humor and prankster personality kept his family and friends on their toes. He was affectionately dubbed “Po” by his grand kids.

Special appreciation to Morningstar Memory Care and Optimal Home Care Inc. for their special care during this trying time for Butch and our family.

There will be no planned services. Butch’s ashes will be interned in Judson, Minnesota Hebron Cemetery. You might consider planting a tree in Butch’s memory.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MtViewMortuary.com for the Thurston family.