Obituary of Mark Eugene Butt

    Mark Eugene Butt, the son of W. A. "Andy" and Evelyn M. (Whittmore) Butt, was born January 9, 1935 in Des Moines, Iowa. He spent his youth in the Iowa communities of Huxley, Slater, Van Meter and Rodman, graduating from Rodman High School in 1954. 
    Following graduation, Mark furthered his education at Emmetsburg Junior College. He served his country with the United States Army from 1955 until 1958, when he was honorably discharged from service. On June 21, 1959, Mark was united in marriage to Shirlee Mae Johnson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta, Iowa. Three children born to this union: Mark, Mike, amd Mardi.
    Mark and Shirlee began their life together at Storm Lake, Iowa; living there from 1960 to 1963 while Mark attended Buena Vista College. After receiving his Bachelor's Degree in education, Mark and Shirlee moved to Marathon, Iowa where Mark taught Social Studies and coached from 1963 to 1969. A position became available in Hartley, Iowa, so the family relocated once again; a move that would last nearly 50 years. Mark taught and coached in the Hartley School system until his retirement in 2000. During his coaching career, he proudly took eight teams to the Iowa Girls State Basketball Tournament in Des Moines. His record of accomplishments in Iowa girl's sports earned him the National High School Athletic Coaches Association's "Coach of the Year Award" in August of 2000. Given for his over-all coaching record, professional honors, and his valued contribution to sports.
    Mark was a member of N.E.A., I.S.E.A., Northwest Iowa Coaches and Officials, the National VFW, and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Hartley. He was always ready for a round or two of golf, or a good game of cards.
    Mark passed from this life on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at his home in Hartley, having reached the age of 83 years. Preceding him in death were his grandparents; his parents; a sister and her husband, Shirley and Marvin Bell; brother and sister-in-law, Herb Johnson and Jeanne Johnson.
    Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Shirlee of Hartley, Iowa; his children: Mark (Fran) Butt, Jr. of Bowie, MD, Mike (Zoe) Butt of Versailles, MO, Mardi Arce of San Antonio, TX; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

Celebration of Life

Mark Eugene Butt

Born ~ January 9, 1935

Died ~ January 30, 2018

Age ~ 83 years   21 days

Funeral Service

Monday, February 5, 2018  ~  10:30 a.m.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church

Hartley, Iowa

Officiating ~ Pastor Chris Nitzel

Organist ~ Donna Ahlers

Musical Tribute

Zoe Butt

"Amazing Grace" 

Congregational Singing

Processional ~ "Fight The Good Fight"

Recessional ~ "How Great Thou Art"

Pallbearers

Kevin Snider    Bill Pippy    Allan Dacken

Alan Tarnasky    Adam Lux    Rodney Ahrenstorff

Honorary Pallbearers

Howard and Carol Borchard      Charles and Trix Keene

Clayton and Nancy Pyle      Pastor Dave and Kathy Ericksen

Gill and Alta Gilbert      Leonard and Helen Anlicker

George and Jeanne James      Dennis and LeAnn Harms      Pam Sease

Ushers

Harv Westerman  ~  Dennis Harms

Burial

To take place at a later date.