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Obituary

Le Roy “Tony” Edward Butterfield

March 20, 2020 | 1 comment

Le Roy “Tony” Edward Butterfield, 95, of La Crosse, WI passed away peacefully on March 19, 2020 at Hillview Healthcare Center surrounded by his loving family.

Tony was born on September 13, 1924 to Le Roy “Roy” and Verna (Miller) Butterfield in La Crosse, WI.

He enlisted into the United States Navy on this 17th birthday and proudly served during WWII on the USS Independence.  He served for two years, nine months, and twenty-three days, which he recited with pride when asked how long he served the Navy.

Tony’s service didn’t stop after his discharge from the Navy; he became a member of the American Legion Post 417 for many years where he served as commander and bar manager.  Tony loved the La Crosse area and enjoyed serving the community.  He was proud a proud member of the La Crosse Fire Department for 27 years where he loved sharing stories and talking about the lifelong friends he made.

Tony married the love of his life, Vivian H. Vaningan, after a chance meeting at the Krazy K.  Tony had offered Vivian some fish he had caught earlier that day which she happily accepted, but refused to clean them; Tony agreed to clean them.  They were married May 3rd, 1969 in La Crosse, WI, where they lived.

Tony enjoyed his family vacations, camping trips, and fishing in Canada.  In June 2010, Tony was part of the Honor Freedom Flight to Washington D.C. which he felt privileged to be given the opportunity.

Tony is survived by his daughters, Mary (Bob) Wiedemann, Autumn (Jenny) Gehri, Deb Gehri, Ginger Anderson, and Julie Butterfield; sons, Dale Gehri (Vickie Phillips), Jim (Cathy) Butterfield; sisters, Dorothy Ash and Ethel (Robert) Coulson; sisters-in-law, Ruby Vaningan and Judy (Terrell) Pendarvais; brothers-in-law, Gene (Butch) Whitewater, Jim (Brenda) Vaningan, Jon (Marti) Vaningan, and Jeff (Vickie) Vaningan; fifteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Tony was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Vivian Butterfield; his parents; brother, Robert Butterfield; two sisters, Florence Stowe and Shirley Schumacher; son, John Butterfield; daughter, Toni Ann Schoen; a sister-in-law; four brothers-in-law; and a son-in-law.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hillview Terrace, Hillview Healthcare Center, the VA, and the hospice staff at Gundersen Health System; and to Doctor John Udell, for all his loving care.

There will be a memorial service in Tony’s honor on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at 11:00 am at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St., Onalaska, WI, in The Prairie Room.  Pastor Ted Dewald will officiate; Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Post 336 and the Fire Department.  There will be a reception to follow the service at The Gathering Place.

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1 Comment

  1. Julie Butterfield

    ihe ill be missed by every one whoes lives he touched some more than others but evr mis take the love the love they had for him

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