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William Butzer

Lead Summary

William John “Bill” Butzer, 67, Luverne, died on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, at his home.
A private family service was Friday, Feb. 14, at the Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne.
William Butzer was born on Aug. 1, 1952, to Robert and Betty (Lehman) Butzer in Marshallville, Ohio. Bill was raised on the family farm outside of Marshallville where he spent his days doing chores and helping his family. He loved helping out on the farm and going to cattle auctions with his father. He also loved riding his motorcycle. He graduated from Orrville High School in 1970.
After high school, he continued to help with the family business until enlisting into the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged in 1974.
He married Mary Jane (Hudson) Butzer on Nov. 9, 1979. The couple made their home in Orrville, Ohio, where Bill continued to work with his family at Sun Valley Farm and as a cattle buyer for Butzer & Sons Inc. In 2007 they moved to Minnesota where Bill worked as a cattle buyer for JBS, Packerland and Tyson. Wherever Bill lived, he embraced the community and enjoyed visiting the local shops and restaurants. Even though his health had recently declined, he continued his livestock career and was passionate about the cattle industry.
Bill attended Celebrate Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He enjoyed watching John Wayne movies, loved watching sporting events and taking afternoon naps in his favorite chair. He was notorious for quoting movies like “Christmas Vacation,” John Wayne and “Smokey and the Bandit.”
Bill enjoyed telling stories and hardly got through it without breaking down in laughter. Above all, Bill loved his family and made sure each member knew it. If anything went wrong for someone in his family, he was always there to help.
Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, of Luverne; his children, Tracie Nolder of Columbus, Ohio, Annissa Furr of Peoria, Arizona, Chad Furr of Wooster, Ohio, Tammy Case of Luverne and Matthew (Dawn) Butzer of Alcester, South Dakota; nine grandchildren, Torrey Fike, Ryan Nolder, Riley Nolder, Colton Furr, Peyton Case, Sommer Case, Gage Furr, Beau Butzer and Barrettt Butzer; one great-grandchild, Oliver Fike; siblings Brenda Butzer of Massillon, Ohio, Robert “Bobby” (Margie) Butzer of Orrville and Barry (Jan) Butzer of Versailles, Kentucky; and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.          
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
 (0220 F)

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