Susan Howlet Butcher (December 26, 1954 - August 5, 2006) was an American dog musher, noteworthy as the second woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1986, the second four-time winner in 1990, and the first to win four out of five sequential years. She is commemorated in Alaska by the Susan Butcher Day. On December 2, 2005, Butcher was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, which had manifested as a blood disorder three years earlier. She underwent chemotherapy at the University of Washington, and received a bone marrow transplant on May 17, 2006, after the cancer went into remission. According to her husband David Monson, "someone said this might be a tough disease, but this leukemia hasn't met Susan Butcher yet."[19] Butcher died on August 5, 2006, after fighting graft-versus-host disease and learning that the cancer had returned. On March 1, 2008, Susan Butcher was honored by the State of Alaska when, just prior to the start of the 2008 Iditarod, Gov. Sarah Palin signed a bill establishing the first Saturday of every March as Susan Butcher Day. The day coincides with the traditional start of the Iditarod each year. Observing the special day, the bill noted, provides opportunity for people to "remember the life of Susan Butcher, an inspiration to Alaskans and to millions around the world."
I am a looooong time - Susan Butcher fan - in 1992 I named my Siberian Husky puppy - "Granite" in honor of Butcher's lead musher in her 1986, 1987 and 1988 Iditarod victories!!!!!! My Granite was an incredible dog that barked one time in his 16 year lifetime (everything must have been OK for him!!!)!!!!! Butcher's Granite was simply a spectacular athlete - with the heart of a champion!!!!!!!!! Granite died in July of 2005 - and Susan Butcher died in August of 2006 - may they both - have that perfect race in heaven!!!!!!!
Susan was the best musher in the world and her dogs were always the light of her life to the end. A lover of the wilderness and animals led her to a greater life. may this remarkable woman rest in peace. Forever mushing her dogs along the trails of heaven.
I remember her from my childhood and come back to her from time to time and am never disappointed. Extraordinary human being
Wow ... what a story!
Susan Howlet Butcher (December 26, 1954 - August 5, 2006) was an American dog musher, noteworthy as the second woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in 1986, the second four-time winner in 1990, and the first to win four out of five sequential years. She is commemorated in Alaska by the Susan Butcher Day.
On December 2, 2005, Butcher was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, which had manifested as a blood disorder three years earlier. She underwent chemotherapy at the University of Washington, and received a bone marrow transplant on May 17, 2006, after the cancer went into remission. According to her husband David Monson, "someone said this might be a tough disease, but this leukemia hasn't met Susan Butcher yet."[19]
Butcher died on August 5, 2006, after fighting graft-versus-host disease and learning that the cancer had returned.
On March 1, 2008, Susan Butcher was honored by the State of Alaska when, just prior to the start of the 2008 Iditarod, Gov. Sarah Palin signed a bill establishing the first Saturday of every March as Susan Butcher Day. The day coincides with the traditional start of the Iditarod each year. Observing the special day, the bill noted, provides opportunity for people to "remember the life of Susan Butcher, an inspiration to Alaskans and to millions around the world."
Wow, this made me cry!
I am a looooong time - Susan Butcher fan - in 1992 I named my Siberian Husky puppy - "Granite" in honor of Butcher's lead musher in her 1986, 1987 and 1988 Iditarod victories!!!!!! My Granite was an incredible dog that barked one time in his 16 year lifetime (everything must have been OK for him!!!)!!!!! Butcher's Granite was simply a spectacular athlete - with the heart of a champion!!!!!!!!!
Granite died in July of 2005 - and Susan Butcher died in August of 2006 - may they both - have that perfect race in heaven!!!!!!!
Susan was the best musher in the world and her dogs were always the light of her life to the end. A lover of the wilderness and animals led her to a greater life. may this remarkable woman rest in peace. Forever mushing her dogs along the trails of heaven.