Allen “Butch” Duane Space, of Crandon, died Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Ministry St. Mary’s Hospital in Rhinelander. He was 72 years old.

He was born October 9, 1944 in Summit Lake, WI, son of the late Allan William and Jeanette (Rice) Space. He married Peggy Handeyside on September 26, 1964 in Elcho.

Butch graduated from Elcho High School, and UW-River Falls. He resided in River Falls until 1979, when he moved with his family to Crandon. He was employed as a teacher and coach for the Crandon School District. He was head coach of the baseball team for 20 years, the basketball team for 10 years, and also coached football.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling with Peggy to see their grandchildren participate in sports and activities.

He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association. He was honored with induction into the UW-River Falls Athletic Hall of Fame for his college baseball career.
He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, include 3 sons, Ed (Jodi) Space of Elcho, Charles (Julie) Space of Plover, and Andy (Allison) Space of Crandon; 9 grandchildren, Nick Alden, Bekah Kostelny, Libby Kostelny, Celia Space, Matthew Space, Jillian Space, Kendall Space, Hannah Space, and Nolan Space; 3 great-grandchildren, Kalli, Emme, and Averie; 3 sisters, Myrna (Ken “Chud”) Kraft of River Falls, Janet (Russ) Welch of Summit Lake, and Theda (Tom) Urban of Rhinelander; a brother in law, Colin “Chuck” (Bev) Handeyside of Elcho; a sister in law, Rosemary Handeyside of Elcho; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister Carol Space; another sister, Karen Ruggles; and 2 brothers in law, Ross Ruggles and Tom Handeyside.

A funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. Monday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Crandon, with Rev. Kyle Verage officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will take place in Elcho Cemetery later in the spring.

The family will direct memorials in Butch’s name to improvements at the Crandon baseball and softball fields, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.