Merlin Butikofer
Merlin L. Butikofer, 71, of Delhi, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 20, 2015, at the Good Neighbor Home, Marietta’s Place, in Manchester. He was born on August 26, 1944, in Postville, Iowa, the son of Harry and Rose (Dennler) Butikofer.
Merlin received his bachelor of science in chemistry and mathematics from Upper Iowa University in 1967. He then received his master’s degree in chemistry education from the University of Wyoming in 1972. His teaching career spanned 48 years and included teaching chemistry, physics and mathematics at Starmont, Upper Iowa, the University of Wyoming, Central City, Maquoketa Valley, and most recently, 14 years at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta. He was first, last, and always an educator and loved working with all of his students.
Merlin is survived by his wife of 46 years, Kathleen; his son, Jeffrey (Annette) of Fayette; his daughter, Lindsay (Michael) and his much loved grandson, Maddox McDermott, all of Swisher; his 98 year old father, Harry of West Union; his sister, Louise Marie (Leo) Johansen of Elgin; his brothers, Gary (Cindy) of Elgin, Bob (Kathy) of Cedar Rapids, and Richard (Donna) of Cedar Rapids; his father-in-law, L. Barney Halverson of Marshalltown; a sister-in-law, Ann Halverson of Bozeman, Montana; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, along with his four legged babies, Eloise and Brindi.
Merlin was preceded in death by his mother, Rose; a brother, Keith; his mother-in-law, Ruth Halverson; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Memorials may be directed to the Good Neighbor Home, Marietta’s Place; Hospice of Comfort, the Dubuque Humane Society or the Upper Iowa University School of Science and Mathematics Churbuck Dean’s Fund.
Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.
Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Manchester, Iowa.
Officiating: Rev. Phil Rogers
Visitation: The family will greet friends from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at the Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester.
Inurnment: Will take place at a later date.