Vincent "Butch" Edward Sigmundik

VINCENT E. SIGMUNDIK December 18, 1945 – August 25, 2019                         Vincent E. “Butch” Sigmundik, age 73, a long-time Park Rapids, MN area resident and real estate entrepreneur, formerly of St. Paul, MN, peacefully passed from this life to eternal life on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at the Heritage Living Center.             Butch was born on December 18, 1945 in St. Paul, MN to Vincent J. and LaVerne (Robarge) Sigmundik.  He grew up on St. Paul’s east side where he graduated from Johnson High School with the Class of 1964.  As a young man, Butch was united in marriage to Dianne Benner in St. Paul.  Their marriage was blessed with three children: Vincent III, Tammy and Troy.  Butch was employed by the Milwaukee Road Railway as a mail handler at the St. Paul Depot for a number of years.  In 1968, he moved to Texas and began driving semi-trucks over the road.  For over 15 years, Butch pulled semi-truck tankers all across the United States and Canada.  He was well known throughout the country by his CB handle, “Kamikaze Kid”.  Butch was very mechanical and would tear down his truck engines and rebuild them into larger more horse power-producing power plants. His career was cut short while pulling a load through Syracuse, NY when he was struck broadside by another semi and his injuries forced him into early retirement.  In 1983, he moved to Park Rapids/Nevis, MN area where he has made his home ever since.  During his retirement years, Butch enjoyed purchasing and remodeling lake homes which he resold.  He was skilled at speculating in land purchases.  He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing.  Butch also enjoyed visiting the area casinos and trying his luck when time allowed.  Above all, Butch’s proudest accomplishment was having been sober since 1996.             Butch is preceded in death by daughter Dana, son Vincent Jr., and grandson Donovan.             Survived by Tammy Faulkner, Troy Sigmundik, and Trinity Jones.       Memorials can be sent to Joan Sigmundik, 1697 County Road C E, Maplewood, MN 55109.