BUTIKOFER, Merlin L. 1944 - 2015

BUTIKOFER, DENNLER, HALVERSON, MCDERMOTT, JOHANSEN

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 12/26/2015 at 16:19:40

SOURCE: THE GAZETTE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa newspaper, Monday, December 21, 2015, page 8A
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Merlin L. Butikofer, age 71, of Delhi, Iowa passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 20, 2015 at the Good Neighbor Home, Marietta's Place in Manchester, Iowa. Memorial services were held on Wednesday, December 23 at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Manchester, Iowa by the Rev. Phil Rogers. Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Merlin was born August 26, 1944 in Postville, Iowa, the son of Harry and Rose (Dennler) Butikofer. Merlin graduated from the Valley High School, Clermont-Elgin-Wadena in 1963. He received his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and mathematics from Upper Iowa University in 1967. He then received his master's degree in chemistry education from the University of Wyoming in 1972. His teaching career spanned 48 years and included teaching chemistry, physics, mathematics at Starmont High School, Upper Iowa University, Central City, Maquoketa Valley, and most recently, 14 years at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta. He was first, last, and always an educator who loved working with all of his students.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Kathleen; his son Jeffrey (Annette) Butikofer of Fayette, Iowa; his daughter, Lindsay (Michael) and his much loved grandson Maddox McDermott, all of Swisher, Iowa; his 96 year old father, Harry Butikofer of West Union, Iowa; his sister Louise Marie (Leo) Johansen of Elgin, Iowa; his brothers Gary (Cindy) Butikofer of Elgin, Iowa, Bob (Kathy) Butikofer and Richard (Donna) Butikofer, both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his father-in-law L. Barney Halverson of Marshalltown; a sister-in-law, Ann Halverson of Bozeman, Montana; nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins along with his four-legged babies, Eloise and Brindi.

Merlin was preceded in death by his mother Rose; a brother Keith Butikofer; his mother-in-law Ruth Halverson and his maternal and paternal grandparents. Memorials may be directed to the Good Neighbor Home, Marietta's Place; Hospice of Comfort; Dubuque Humane Society or Upper Iowa University School of Science and Mathematics Churbuck Dean's Fund.