Clyde R. Butterfield

Heaven welcomed a very special angel on Sunday, August 19, 2018. Clyde R. Butterfield, Jr., 93, passed away at Mulder Health Care Facility with his family by his side. Clyde was born in La Crosse on April 22, 1925 to Lena and Clyde R. Butterfield, Sr. - the fourth of ten children.

Clyde married Beverly Churchill on October 30, 1948 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in La Crosse. They had five children and 51 wonderful years together, enjoying square dancing, bowling, camping - especially the camping trip to the Apostle Islands, the famous Butterfield family picnics, weekend camping breakfasts at Pettibone Park, summer trips to Marshalltown, IA, following the Blue Stars each summer and their trip to Spain. Beverly passed away April 23, 2000.

On August 23, 2003 Clyde married Betty Shanley at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. Two families came together with this union and Clyde and Betty’s nine children loved watching their parents enjoy their later years together – trips to Las Vegas, Maine and Florida, and singing in the Red Coats choral group and weekly bus trips to the casino.

Clyde had a strong faith in the church and took part in all aspects of his Catholic faith. He was an usher, reader and extra-ordinary minister at Sunday mass. He was a Boy Scout leader for many years and had many fun Boy Scout camping trips at Camp Decorah. He was a member of the St. John’s Men’s Club helping with the smelt fry, church picnics, sound system repairs, and anywhere else he was needed.

He served his country in the Navy during WWII on Merchant Marine ships escorting Navy vessels in the Pacific. He was very proud of his service in the Navy and carried that pride through his 52 years as a member of American Legion Post 52 and 44 year membership in the Voiture 40 & 8. You could find him in the kitchen helping with Friday night fish and chicken and the SOS breakfasts on Sunday mornings. He was a member of the firing squad for many years and felt very privileged honoring other veterans at their gravesides. He also spearheaded the project that reused old mail boxes for depositing flags for proper disposal.

Clyde was an avid bowler, starting out setting pins at area bowling alleys in downtown La Crosse as a youngster. After returning from the service, he took up the sport for 64 years (1946 to 2010). He bowled one to two times a week and loved the fact he was able to bowl on an all Butterfield bowling team made up of his brothers and him, which grew to include his sons, grandsons and nephews through the years. Bowling was a passion that was also handed down to his daughters and granddaughters.

For over 35 years, Clyde had worked as an Electronics Technician  in La Crosse and retired from Wettstein and Sons after 27 years. As kids we loved the fact he was in the television service industry as we were one of the first to have colored television.

The Butterfield household was the gathering place for all of our friends. Clyde and Bev had so many ‘kids.’ Everyone was welcome and felt the love. It wasn’t surprising to see 20 or more pairs of shoes by the back door. Many pizzas and pans of lasagna were made and enjoyed and there was always pop in the fridge from the pop dock. Clyde was a very loving and caring person and always had a smile on his face. Without hesitation, he would offer help to whoever came to him.

Clyde is survived by his wife Betty, 5 children, Dan (Susan), Dennis (Melany), Deborah (Dennis Dinsmore), Diane Johnson and Dale (Lisa); 10 grandchildren, Jason (Lea) Butterfield, Benjamin (Lena) Butterfield, Eric Johnson, Brian Johnson, Angie (Cory) Cossette, Timothy Butterfield, Kimberly Butterfield, Alyssa Hahn (Jake), Sarah Butterfield (Anthony Johnson), and Alex Butterfield (Amanda Tomten); 5 great grandchildren, Laila Cossette, Matthias Butterfield, Cali and Lily Butterfield, Caleb Hahn and baby boy Butterfield due the end of this year; the 4 Shanley children, Sue (Pat) Rieland, John (Dorothy) Shanley, Paul (Maribeth) Shanley and Mark (Amy) Shanley and the Rieland and Shanley children and grandchildren; sisters-in-law Phyllis Butterfield and April Butterfield and brothers-in-law Rich Churchill and Don Burroughs, and many nieces and nephews. Clyde is further survived by his extended families at the American Legion, L&M Tap and Bluffside.

Clyde was preceded in death by his first wife, Beverly and his 6 sisters Arvilla (Wa) Chrisinger, Louise Simpson, Marie "Toots" Arentz, Bev Strickland, Rose Fischer, Helen (Lolly) Bonner and 3 brothers Chuck, Bill and George Butterfield.

His pride and joy was the cottage he built himself with the help of family and friends. He and Beverly spent every summer in Trempealeau, going as soon as the water went down and coming back to La Crosse when the snow flew. There was always a cold beer and a fishing pole on the dock – whoopie!!! And also hearing Bev call down from the porch, “Clyde!!” and Dad’s reply, “Whatever!!!!”

The family would like to thank the staff at Mulder Health Care Facility for their tender, compassionate care they gave Clyde every day he was in residence and supporting all of us during the last few emotional days. The family also extends a big thank you to the 6 ^th floor staff at Gundersen Neuro / Ortho.

Whatever title you knew him by – Dad, Pop, Daddy, Grandad, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, Husband (Tweety), Uncle Clyde, Uncle Sonny, friend, colleague – you knew him as a man of integrity with a strong faith and a loving heart.

The community lost a true gentleman and a terrific role model and he will be sorely missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at Mary Mother of The Church Parish; 2006 Weston St., La Crosse. Rev. Brian D. Konopa will officiate. Military honors will be provided by Roy Vingers American Legion Post 52 La Crosse. Friends may call on the family Monday evening from 4 until 8 P.M. at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services La Crosse chapel; 200 West Ave. South; La Crosse Wis. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Legion; Post 52, 711 6 ^th St. South, La Crosse Wi. 54601. Following the Mass there will be a time of fellowship at the American Legion.