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Charles M. Butler

1925 - 2010

 

Charles "Chuck" M. Butler
1925 - 2010

Charles "Chuck" M. Butler, age 84, of 1960 Sandy Beach Road, Lake Cornelia, Iowa, died, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010 at Arbor Springs, Des Moines, surrounded by his loving family.

Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 9, the Klemme United Methodist Church, Klemme. The Reverend Paddy Druhl officiated. Burial with full military honors was provided by the Klemme Military Squad in the Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Visitation was Sunday at the Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme.

Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Charles name may wish to direct them to the family.

Charles "Chuck" M. Butler, was born Sept. 13, 1925, in Humboldt County, near Livermore, the son of Luther W. and Maude (Humble) Butler. He attended Livermore area schools and graduated from Livermore High School with the Class of 1942.

Following his schooling Charles served his country in the United States Armed Forces during World War II. During his military tenure in the Army he spent time in Germany and various other locations on foreign soil. He was a part of the combat engineers during his six years of military service. Chuck was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Upon returning to civilian life Charles was united in marriage to Virginia M. Davis at the Livermore United Methodist Church on Sept. 2, 1951. Their union was blessed with three daughters, Gwen, Maggie and Becky.

The couple farmed for a time in Livermore and Bradgate before moving to a farm east of Klemme in 1955. In addition to farming, Charles and Virginia owned and operated an Oliver business. They later started the firm BMD in Klemme, a business that was built from the ground up with Chuck's vision and perseverance grew to a very successful company that provided it's services and expertise not only to the region, but throughout the U.S. and foreign countries. Charles and Virginia actively operated the business until 1992, when Chuck retired as President of the Company. Chuck's involvement continued until they sold BMD (known today as A & I) in 1995.

Throughout his entire life Charles was an ardent and active supporter of the community. He had served for a time as Mayor of Klemme, as a board member of the Klemme School Board, and as a Klemme Volunteer Fireman. He generously gave of his time, talents and financial support to the Slippery Elm Golf Course, Klemme Ag Days, the fireworks, and to numerous other events and projects.

Chuck had enjoyed hunting in earlier years. He and Virginia enjoyed golfing and were longtime members of the Slippery Elm Golf Course in Klemme and the Clarmond Country Club near Lake Cornelia. Chuck and Virginia had spent many years on winter vacation in Biloxi, Mississippi, for the month of January. The couple enjoyed dancing in earlier years and actively bowled in numerous leagues. Charles looked forward to fishing excursions in Canada. He also looked forward to any occasion that meant spending time in the presence of his children and grandchildren.

Chuck enjoyed the friendly competition of cribbage and cards among the comradery of his buddies, Ricky, Arly, Harold and Barney over lunch at the Sawmill in Klemme. Chuck, Rick and Arly would also look forward to an outing to the casino and would often times bring Virginia along for the occasion. Chuck was an actively involved lifetime member of the Klemme American Legion Post and also the Garner VFW.

Chuck will be remembered by his family, friends and former employees as a man who loved life to it's fullest, enjoyed the simple things along the way, and cared deeply for those around him. All who crossed in his life foot steps will cherish the echoes of his wonderful and heartwarming laugh, friendly hello and wave to both friend and stranger, and of course his unique wit and humor.

Those left to cherish the memory of his life include his wife and life companion of nearly 60 years, Virginia Butler, Lake Cornelia, Iowa; daughters, Gwen, Clive, Iowa; Maggie and husband Mike Gowin, Rochester, Minn.; Becky and husband Ed Lents, Drexel, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Devon Mau and wife Jamye, Danielle (Mau) and husband Connor Sears, Dillon Mau, Chris Gowin and wife Raissa Byer, Matt Gowin, John Gowin and wife Jen, Ann (Lents) Mattison and husband Chris, and Jill Lents and fiancée James Howarts, seven great-grandchildren, Andrew, Taylor and Cassidy Gowin, Dana and Spencer Mattison, DJ Mau, and Nico Sears; brothers, Ralph Butler and wife Ruby, Arkansas, James Butler, Washington, Iowa; and a sister, Linda Bahr, Livermore, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Mary Colwell, Tulsa, Okla., and Eva Lous Ferstl, Harriet, Ark.

source: Leader & Signal, Garner, Iowa, 11 Aug 2010, page 6, column 6

 

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