Dan "Buster" Savich, Jr.

Dan "Buster" Savich, Jr.

B. Monday, August 20, 1928D. Monday, March 16, 2015

Dan "Buster" Savich Jr., 86, of Blackduck, MN passed away on Monday, March 16, 2015 at Sanford Medical Center in Bemidji, MN after a 10 year battle with cancer.

The Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church in Blackduck, MN with Pastor Denise Fossen officiating. Military honors will be provided by Blackduck American Legion Post #372. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, March 20, 2015 at Cease Family Funeral Home in Blackduck, with a 7:30 PM Masonic service and Prayer service to follow. Interment will be in the Wildwood Township Cemetery.

Buster was born on August 20, 1928 with his twin sister, Doris, in Wildwood, MN to Edna Josephine (Nordby) and Dan Savich, Sr. He lived on the Wildwood farm with his parents and 8 siblings (6 sisters and 2 brothers). As a little boy, his legs were immobile and he had to be carried by his oldest sister, but with great determination, he built himself up and attended Wildwood Country School, Mizpah and Northome Schools. He was an adventurous young lad in Wildwood, working on the farm, trapping, hunting, canoeing and blazing trails with his friends. Though he loved his family, friends and teachers, he ventured out at 16 to go to work in the logging camps. He was drafted into the US Army during the Korean Conflict and served with the 18th Airborne Division from 1951-1953. He was honorably discharged and served in the reserves for another 6 years. He then did road construction and was a timber faller in Minnesota, White Sulphur Springs, MT and B.C. In 1966, he was hired as a Blackduck police officer. In the beginning he attended police training during the day and worked nights. He understood the true meaning of "Protect and Serve" was one-of-a-kind and enjoyed everyone he met. He was a 25 year member of the Blackduck Fire Dept., was instrumental in organizing the Blackduck Ambulance Service and was an ambulance attendant. He was also a member of the Northwest Minnesota Police Task Force. He stayed physically fit by doing one arm pushups and used a punching bag in the garage. On July 20, 1968, he married Marian Haiby at Zion Lutheran Church in Blackduck. They made their home in Blackduck and raised 2 sons. He took his family on yearly trips from coast-to-coast to see the good ole USA and Canada. When he had the time, he did wild ricing with John and logging with Dick to make ends meet. He retired as the Blackduck Police Chief in 1995 after almost 30 years. With his retirement he enjoyed all his free with family and friends and farming.

He enjoyed many years of special fishing trips with friends to Canada and Lake Michigan. He had special times with his family bear, deer and partridge hunting and 4-wheeling in Wildwood. Then with 7 precious grandkids and 2 special daughters-in-law, life just kept getting better and better. He was a great story teller, poetry writer and loved to read. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the American Legion Post #372 for 63 years, Bemidji AF & AM Lodge #233, Elkanah Commandery #30, AAD Shrine of Duluth, Headwaters Shrine Club, Past Worthy Patron of OES #171 Bemidji Chapter, gold card member of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Assn. and past member of the Minnesota Police Chief's Assn.

Buster is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marian of Blackduck; son, Daniel (Marla) and their children, Siera, Dakota, Beau and Josephine and son, Richard (Judy) and their children, Brody, Dayne and Hanna, all of Blackduck; his brother, Robert Savich of Bigfork and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Buster was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Elsie Fee, Laura McGraw, Martha Scott, Anna Lindsey, Doris Lotton (Buster's twin sister) and Manda Sage; and a brother, Buddy Savich.

Memorials will be given to the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.