"to the family ...so very very sorry for your loss. due to the weather I didn't make it in. butch you were an awesome friend ..had a blast everytime we got together..might I add a wonderful cook!!! you may be gone from earth my friend but you will remain in my heart forever ! after meeting all your family in heaven .I'm sure your playing music with Bob renaux and morey applen... thank you for the memories ?"
In loving memory of
Michael Otto Bradshaw
March 1, 1943 - February 13, 2021
Michael "Butch" Bradshaw, age 77, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Cottagewood Senior Community in Rochester, MN. Michael was born on March 1, 1943 to parents Michael Bradshaw and Verona (Oelkers Bradshaw) Corfits in Rochester MN.
Butch attended school in Rochester MN. He married Mary Ann (Vehrenkamp) in 1964 and were later divorced. He then married Liz (Remmey) in 1989 and later divorced.
Over his career life he wore many different boots. He worked for the City of Rochester Police Reserves, he co-owned and ran a small grocery store for several years, he was a Security Guard, PT Olmsted County Deputy, Carpenter, Truck driver, Shuttle driver and a Maintenance Worker for the Rochester Public School District until he retired. Butch loved music and playing drums from a young age. He played in several area bands including The Rovin' Gamblers, The Buzz Hackman Band, Charlie Bill and the Mostly Country Band, The Rockin Old Farts and also filled in as much as possible for any other local bands he could, because of his passion for playing drums. He also enjoyed organizing local band jams. His other favorite hobby when not playing drums was fishing.
Survivors include Michael's children, Tammy (William) Schmidt of Rochester and Jeff (Renee) Bradshaw of Rochester; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Judy Miller of Iowa Falls IA; a step-sister Mary Jo (John) Bass of Rochester; step-brothers John (Karen) Corfits of Rochester and Joe (Sheri) Corfits of Des Moines IA; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father, step father and two sisters.
A visitation will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, February 21, 2021 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Pl NW, Rochester, MN. Due to COVID-19 health concerns, masks and proper social distancing are required.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Heartland Hospice or Alzheimer's Research. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Bradshaw family. To share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
Tributes
"Tammy and Jeff, I want to express my sympathy to your families on the loss of your dad. Mike was a Medicare client of mine who was always a favorite. Mike was really fun to visit with and so easy to get along with. So sorry for your loss. Doug Hillenbrand"
"So sorry to hear this Jeff. My condolences to you and your family. "
"Butch and I go back to when we were in our first band, "The Roving Gamblers", Roy Larson, Larry Cotton, myself, and Butch. Man we had the world by the tail ! Got paid $8.00 each and all the tap beer we could drink. We always had a ball. Butch was always so much fun, and always had great stage presence. As the years went by he played with my show and was a great sidekick doing comedy skits !! We spent a lot of time on the road and of course never a dull moment. Butch was loved every where we played. He played with nearly every country band in the area at one time or another. I'm going to miss you Butch. Going to miss your weekly calls up until you went in the assisted living. Ann and I give our sincere sympathy to Tammy and Jeff and their families . Rest in peace Butch, you were a true friend for so many years. WE won't forget you ."
"I knew Butch for many years. We played together In Charlie Bills band and had lots of good times. When I moved my wife here from several hundred miles away I had a big Uhaul truck loaded to the brim. When I needed help to get it unloaded Butch was one of the two guys who came to help. It was hard work and I never forgot that. My condolences to the family. RIP Butch. "
"Sympathy to all the Bradshaw family. He was a good gu and always humorous. I remember him from long ago when he was my ex-husbands best friend and our Best Man when we got married in Nov. 1962. The funniest thing I remember about ?Butch?. Was the nite we got married he got in one of our neighbors house and slept on their couch. May he RIP keep his memory with you for all times. Sorry for your loss. Donna J. Lewis-Schott"