Larry Buttke
Larry William Buttke, 83, passed away in his home surrounded by family after a courageous battle against Liver Cancer and Congestive Heart Failure.
Larry was born, June 30, 1941 to Bernie Buttke and Marie (Jerabek) Buttke at St Joseph’s hospital in Chippewa Falls, WI.
He was a graduate of Cadott High School in 1959. He enlisted in the Army where he served for 3 years with one year in Sinop, Turkey. After serving, he moved to Milwaukee where he worked at Louis Allis Company.
On July 11, 1964, he married Leila Niemuth at Christ Lutheran Church in West Bloomfield, WI.
They made their home in Cudahy, WI for three years.
In 1967, they moved to Cadott and later bought 80 acres of the land of his parents’ original homestead in Cadott, where with the help of his family, they had a small dairy farm.
He worked full time at the Northern Wisconsin Center for the disabled from 1968-1997. He also started driving a school bus part time for Cadott in 1968. After retiring from the Northern Wisconsin Center, he began driving full time for the Cadott School District. He always had a love for the Cadott Hornet sport teams, events and the children on the bus. He retired after driving the school bus for 50 years in 2018.
He enjoyed family camping trips every summer, hunting, gardening, numerous extended family gatherings, bird watching, fishing – especially trips to Canada and one very special trip to Alaska with his brothers and his best friend. He enjoyed numerous trips to Branson during Veterans week.
He was a member of Cadott FFA Alumni (and made millions of cheesecurds) for many years. He was also part of the Cadott American Legion, Post 159 (since 1989), the Farmer’s Union and Sigel Sodbusters 4-H while his 3 children were younger.
He took a lot of pride in being part of organizing the annual 9/11 tribute ceremony and working with the Wisconsin Veterans Tribute monument located on Highway 27.
He was also an active member of St John’s Lutheran Church, serving on the Church Counsel as Trustee for several years.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Leila and his 2 sons, Steve (Scott Eidahl) Buttke, Brian Buttke and his daughter Shelley (Jay Johnson) Buttke; his Grand Children: Amy (Dan Groat) Eidahl, Anna and Kyle Bauer, Aaron Eidahl, Rebecca (Zach) Buttke, Jordyn Buttke, Brody Buttke and Liam Buttke and his Great Grandchildren: Harper and Briggs Bauer. In addition, he is survived by his siblings: Bob Buttke, Ray (Kathy) Buttke, Lloyd (Chris) Buttke, Jerry Buttke, Jean Buttke, Denny (Linda Matott) Buttke, Ruth Buttke and Randy (Arlene) Buttke and his In Laws: Daniel Niemuth, Charles (Charlene) Niemuth, Annette (Jim) Saxon, Carla (David) Kuehni and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Jeffrey in infancy, Siblings: Irene Juneman, Jan McDermott, Roger Buttke and Brother & Sister In Laws: Ted Juneman, Mike McDermott, Allen and Lucinda Niemuth, Robert Niemuth, Linda (Kuehni) Niemuth, Anita and Harold Wagner, Alice and Paul Oehlke, Betty and Raymond Bourassa and Eileen and Robert Hoehne.
He will be remembered for his large smile and love of his large family.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 31st, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church Cadott, WI. with Rev. Robert Hopkins officiating.
Interment with Full Military Honors conducted by the Cadott American Legion and VFW will be in the Brooklawn Cemetery, Cadott, WI. following the service.
A Visitation will be held from 12:00 PM until the time of services 2:00 PM Saturday at the Church.
Leiser Funeral Home and Cremation Services Cadott, WI.
Express online condolences at www.leiserfuneralhome.com