Gene Butler

Gene R. Butler, age 67, died on Oct. 2, 2018 at the St. Cloud Veterans Administration hospital after years of struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.  He is survived by his wife, Susan, his daughters: Heidi (& Shawn) Vliem, Melissa (& Jason) Hensley, and Samantha (& Joe) Zwieg; his son, Adam (& Jennifer) Butler and his 12 grandchildren.

Gene was born to Winfield and Helen Butler and grew up on the family farm in Villard, MN.  He graduated from Villard High School in 1968.  He enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War.   After completing his tour of duty in Vietnam in November of 1970, Gene returned to the states and married his beloved, Susan Gerthe.

After completing his service in Alexandria, Virginia, he was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces.  Gene and Susan moved back to Minnesota and Gene farmed for the next thirty years.   On the family farm, Gene and Susan worked hard and raised their four children.  In 2002, they sold the farm to move to the Alexandria area.  Gene spent his remaining years of work driving for Rainbow Rider.

Gene Butler will be remembered by all who knew him as a hard working, kind, and honorable man.  He had a wonderful sense of humor.  He was devoted to his family.  He will be missed every day.

Gene is preceded in death by his parents, Winfield and Helen and his sister, Julie.

The funeral service for Gene will be held at First Baptist Church of Glenwood, MN on Saturday, October 13th.  The service will begin at 1:00 p.m. with a time of fellowship after.  Burial will be at Kinkead Cemetery with full military honors.