Edward "Butch" Ehernberger

Edward V. “Butch” Eherenberger was born October 24th, 1934 in Omaha, NE to Emerson and Georgia Ehernberger. He married the love of his life Charlotte in 1957 and they remained married for 68 years. It became apparent early in his life that one name alone didn't quite fit him and he became known as “Butch”; a name that by translation means strong, masculine, and a protector. This became the theme of Butch’s life and how his family knew him and will always remember him.

He had a strong wit and wisdom about him. Having completed school only at the 8th grade level, he was intelligent, full of ambition and always held true to a strong work-ethic. Butch served his country briefly in the Army Reserves. He enjoyed his time working at Meadow Gold Dairy and went on to become an entrepreneur, owning Tommy’s Drive In, Cheyenne Fire Extinguisher, and B&E Contractors all while working for the City of Cheyenne Fire Department from 1960-1987 where he retired as a Lieutenant, mentoring future generations of strong firefighters. He could recall dates, names, and details up until his very last days and he never forgot a friend. You could always find him sharing stories with his coffee buddies at McDonald’s.

He was the kind of person the entire family could turn to for sound advice. As a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he was a steady rock; strong, dependable, and deeply loved. Butch's greatest gifts to the family were the life lessons he shared. He taught us the value of a penny, the importance of common sense, and the need to face life head-on saying "don’t baby it” and “work it out,". He showed love through his teasing which only made us stronger. With a mind that never stopped working, he carried a wealth of knowledge, so much so that we often joked he could’ve been President of the United States.

True to his name, Butch embodied strength and masculinity in everything he did. He worked on all his own vehicles and made sure his grandkids could do the same, before they were allowed to learn how to drive a car. He believed in doing things the right way, not just the easy way. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” was never his motto. There was always something that could be improved or perfected in his eyes.

Every summer, you could find him in the yard, shirtless, proudly working on his lawn and his farmer’s tan. His love for sports was another hallmark of his character. Whether it was watching, betting on, predicting, or playing, sports were a major part of how he connected with others. He was known to impress with his signature hook shot, often schooling the younger crowd on the basketball court. Butch showed up for every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild’s game. He was always the most loyal supporter and the proudest fan in the stands. And while he may no longer be there in person, we know he's still cheering us on from heaven.

From a young age, Butch was a protector. After the passing of his father, he helped build a home in Cheyenne alongside his brothers so his family would have a place to stay. Later in life, he went on to build another home for his daughter, Kelly and her family to keep his family together and close by. His protective nature was evident in the career he chose as a firefighter, where he saved countless lives and properties with courage and dedication.

Butch was a practical joker, making sure to keep his family grounded by always hiding one less Easter egg in the annual Easter egg hunt and wrapping a brick in layers of boxes, declaring with orneriness that it’s “a chip off the old block”.

Butch always had his own quirky way of protecting the family finances by traveling to Yellowstone, Disneyland, and even Las Vegas with all his belongings packed in a paper sack.

Butch will be remembered as a serious man who never took life too seriously. Though he may be gone, he leaves behind more than the literal bricks he laid. His laughter, his love, and his legacy will continue to echo in our hearts and minds.

Edward Vernon “Butch” Ehernberger was a man truly deserving of all the names we knew him by—Edward, Butch, lieutenant, son, brother, husband, father, dad, grandpa, gramps, great papa, grandpa great, and friend. Each name carried with it a story, a role he embraced with love, strength, and dedication.

Butch is survived by his daughters, Karen Smith and Kelly Brittain, with Rick—his best friend—faithfully by his side, holding his hand until the very end. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Tiffany (Brady) Brinton, Robby (Josie) Brittain, and Tawny (Joe) Queram; and six beloved great-grandchildren: Caitlyn Jones, Alyson Jones, Jayvin Martin, Bowen Brittain, Calvin Queram, and Emma Queram; and his brother, Jim Ehernberger.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Charlotte; his son, Larry; his parents, Emerson and Georgia; and his brothers, Harold and Jon.

There will be a reception immediately following the service at The Depot.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Red Cross.