BUTZ, Bernice (Woldum) 1923-1999

WOLDUM, ZAHASKY, BUTZ, GERLEMAN, MAYER

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 10/1/2010 at 08:28:47

Decorah Public Opinion, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000

Bernice Butz

Bernice Butz, 76, of Ridgeway, died Sunday, Dec. 26, 1999, at the Cresco Care Center.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec. 29, at 11 a.m., at Peace Lutheran Church in Ridgeway, with the Revs. Phillip and Ginny Olson officiating.

Martha Olson was the organist. Hymns were "0 Come All Ye Faithful," "Your Little Ones, Dear Lord," "Lo How a Rose Is Growing," "Away in a Manger" and "Be Present."

Casket bearers were Walter Brenno, Earl Albertson, Duane Gerleman, Kenneth Qualley, Orland Cooley and Marlin Butz.

Burial was at the Ridgeway Town Cemetery. The Lindstrom Funeral Home of Cresco handled arrangements.

Bernice (Woldum) Butz was born Oct. 9, 1923, in Waucoma, the daughter of Melford and Viola (Zahasky) Woldum.

She graduated from Decorah High School in 1942.

Bernice was united in marriage with Lawrence Butz April 24, 1949, at Decorah Lutheran Church. The couple made their home in Ridgeway where they raised a son and a daughter, Marlin and Viola.

Bernice worked for her parents at the Kozy Korner, then worked for Deco Products in Decorah for 22 years.

Bernice enjoyed going to auctions and watching football and basketball. She took pride in keeping up her yard.

She was active in the Ridgeway American Legion Auxiliary - serving as president for many years - and in the V.F.W. Auxiliary in Cresco. She was an active member of the Ridgeway Chamber of Commerce.

She and her husband were members of the Ridgeway and Peace Lutheran Parish since 1949, where she was a Sunday School teacher for many years and served as the Sunday School superintendent. She belonged to the Sarah Circle and the Ladies Aide.

Survivors include her son, Marlin "Butch" and Mary Butz of Mason City; her daughter, Viola and Duane Gerleman of Ridgeway; two grandchildren; her sister, Lavonne Mayer of Riceville; and her nieces and nephews.

Bernice Butz was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lawrence, who died in 1978; and a grandson, Brian Butz.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.