Loren Boyce

Minot

No longer in pain, Loren “Butch” Edward Boyce, 83, of Minot, ND, passed away on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Trinity Hospital in Minot, ND of kidney issues.

Loren Edward Boyce was born on September 24, 1941, in Williston, ND to Wayne and Violet (Falkenhagen) Boyce. Nicknamed “Butch” by his mother, he was the 2nd of 6 children raised on the family farm Southeast of Williston. Butch attended country school and after 8th grade, he attended and graduated from Williston High School in 1959.

After high school, Butch worked for farmers and tradesmen in the Williston and Wolf Point, MT areas. During those experiences, he found working in plumbing to be what fit him best. Butch attained his Journeyman and Master Plumber credentials while working with area plumbers.

Butch met the love of his life, Carol in 1957. They were wed on June 23, 1961, at First Lutheran in Williston, ND. Butch continued to work in plumbing in Western North Dakota and Eastern Montana until 1963. At that time, Butch and Carol made their home in Minot, ND where Butch worked in the Minot Area. In their time here in Minot, the two of them established Boyce Plumbing and Heating in Minot, ND in 1972, along with Carol’s Ceramics in 1967 and Carol’s Quilt Shop in 1981. In 2015, Butch diversified into directional drilling.

Butch and Carol began their family in Minot with the birth of Joren in 1964, followed by Nylee in 1967, Jedd in 1970, and Jeremy in1973.

Butch was a longtime member and active volunteer of the NoDak Race Club starting in 1963. He raced for years in the hobby stock and sprint car divisions. In 2002, Butch was inducted into the NoDak Racing Hall of Fame. He was extremely honored and proud of this accolade.

Butch is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol; children: Joren (Tina) Boyce of Minot, Jedd (Tawnja) Boyce of Minot, and Jeremy (Dan) Boyce of Minot; eleven grandchildren: Jessica, Justin, Patience, Sydney, Chevylee, Mindee, Damyn, Kaydee, Maycee, Scarlett, Astoria, and eight great grandchildren.

He is survived by his siblings: Audrey (Vern) McKenzie of Anchorage, AK, Judy (Armen) Barbot of Williston, ND, Greg Boyce of Williston, ND, Doug Boyce of Anchorage, AK and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Violet, brother Garth Boyce, and daughter Nylee Boyce.

Celebration of the Life of Loren “Butch” Boyce: Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church – Minot.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service in the church.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice.

(Arrangements entrusted with Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.)

Published by The Minot Daily News, August 5, 2025.