BUTZ, Vern I. (1913-1994)

BUTZ, BLOCHER, MAXSON

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society
Date: 9/26/2022 at 12:08:54

Vern Butz
1913-1994

Services for Vern Butz, 80, of Garner, who died Monday, March 7, 1994, at Westview Care Center in Britt, will be held Thursday, March 10, 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Garner with Rev. Bob T. Ellis as officiant.

Mrs. Dean Cataldo, organist, will accompany soloist, Bill Renner. Mrs. Stan Greiman will accompany the choir. Ushers will be Maynard Schoneman and Burke Haberkamp.

Casket bearers will be Greg Schoneman, Steve Templeton, Robert Gray, Gerald Edgar, Jim Jass and Bob Sniezek.

Burial will be In Concord Township Cemetery in Garner. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner.

Vern I. Butz, the son of William F. and Christina (Blocher) Butz, was born September 21, 1913 at Meservey. After graduating from Meservey High School in 1931, he farmed with his parents. In 1936, Vern and his brother became partners in a Coast-To-Coast Store in Milbank. SD.

July 19, 1937, he married Gladys Maxson at Sioux Falls, SD. In 1941, he moved to Garner and took over ownership of the Butz Hatchery from his father, which included the DeKalb franchise and Wayne Feeds. In 1970, Vern closed the business and worked as a salesman for Elmer Urich for several years. Vern obtained his real estate license and then worked for Paul Kelly, Nick Brear, Walter Edelen and Schoneman Realtors. He had enjoyed flying and fishing in his earlier years.

October 29, 1980, the Garner Chamber of Commerce presented Vern with a Distinguished Service Award in recognition of outstanding devotion and untiring effort in promoting the city of Garner and Hancock County.

Vern was a member of the United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, choir member, Lay Leader, member of the Administrative Council and the Membership and Evangelism Committee. He served on the Garner City Council for many years, the Garner School Board for eight years during the 1950's, the Hancock County Board of Education in the 1960's, was past-president and secretary of the Garner Chamber of Commerce, was a part of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) for five years, was on the board of Hancock County National Bank for many years, played in the Garner Old Timers Band and for over 40 years was a member of the Garner Lions Club. Vern helped initiate many community projects over the years.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys Butz of Garner; two sons, Will A. Butz of McLean, VA, and his wife, Linda and their two daughters, Stephanie and Anne, and Jack L. Butz of Garner and his wife, Sandie, and their three children, Dena, Dan and Debbi; and a great-grandson, Nathan Sorenson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Irene L. Butz on November 25, 1987; and three brothers, Lloyd Butz, Donald Butz and Bernard Butz.

source: Leader & Signal, Garner, Iowa, 9 Mar 1994, page 6, column 1