Merrell "Buzz" Lee Butler

   Merrell Lee “Buzz” Butler was born on November 5, 1934 in Wayne, MI. As a youngster his family moved around a lot a working on several farms. The family did rent a farm from the Henry Ford Family. He graduated from high school in 1952 in Mason, MI. After high school, Merrell farmed with his brother before entering into the military on March 8, 1953, serving in the U.S. Army. He went through basic training and then he served in the National Guard and was honorably discharged on September 8, 1963.

   On April 8, 1961, Buzz married Dolores Lorenson in Escanaba, MI. Following their marriage, they continued to dairy farm in the Mason area until 1980, when they moved to Laurens and farmed. In 1984, he started the Butler Trucking Company with his son and did that for about 15 years and then he helped his son with his business, Butler Custom Pumping. He worked with Rob until 2012. In 2003 he retired to a lake in Fairmont, MN. The couple moved back to Spencer in 2017 and Buzz moved into the nursing home earlier this year.

   He enjoyed fishing and hunting and tending to his vegetable garden. He also liked to collect Antique tractors, but most of all he loved to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

   Buzz passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at the Accura Healthcare of Cherokee at the age of 90. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Tracy in 1961 and 3 sisters.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Dolores of Spencer, IA; his son, Rob (Ann) of Laurens, IA; his daughter, Sheryl Ahlers (Tony) of Laurens, IA; five grandchildren: Annie Butler (Dakotah Godvin), Bradley and Toby Butler, John Sobotka (Angie), Joleen Sernett (Steven); 7 great grandchildren; his brother, Charles Butler (Joyce) of Princeton, IL; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.