Robert Donald Buttenhoff

Robert Donald Buttenhoff

Robert Donald Buttenhoff, 85, of Eau Claire, died April 14, 2004 at Fall Creek Valley Care Center in Fall Creek. He was born on July 15. 1918 in Eau Claire, WI to Gladys (Boyd) and Otto Buttenhoff. He resided at 3820 Halsey St., Eau Claire, WI.

He graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1935 and graduated from Eau Claire Business College in 1938. He entered the insurance business in 1938 and entered the U.S. Army in February of 1941. He attended the Fort Knox Officer Candidate School in 1942, and was commissioned in the armed forces (CAV) and joined the 24th Tank Battalion of Camp Bale, CA as Adjutant. He served overseas and joined the U.S. Forces-Austria and was discharged in 1946 after earning the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

He returned and opened the Buttenhoff Insurance Agency. He served as president of the Eau Claire Insurance Board, the president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin and was the State National Director.

Upon his return from overseas he joined the Junior Chamber of Commerce and became its president in 1948 and Director of the Wisconsin Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Committee for Eau Claire City Manager and served the city as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals for five years.

He served the State of Wisconsin as a member of the Technical Insurance Advisory Committee for the Insurance Commissioner, Charles Munson.

Bob was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Masonic Lodge #112, Scottish Rite Valley of Eau Claire, ZOR Shrine Temple of Madison, Kiwanis and Trinity Lutheran Church. He was also an active member of the Republican Party.

He married Norma Baustian in January of 1948 and had five daughters and two sons, Barbara (Dennis) Rasmussen, James Buttenhoff, Jayne (Mark) Wanka, Bonita (and friend Craig Fiedler) Larson, David (Linda) Buttenhoff and Mary (Raymond) Oman.

Bob enjoyed spending special time with his grandchildren, Alicia (Erik) Hurtgen, Leticia (Andrew) Nicolet and great granddaughter Nicolet arriving in June 2004, Sara (fiancé Cory Tlusty) Wanka and great grandson, Quinton Tlusty, Jaye Wanka, Leah Wanka, Dustin Larson, U.S. Army PFC Dalton (fiancé Katie Retzlaff) Larson currently serving in Iraq, Carla Hamann, Raymond Oman, Corey Oman and Kendall Oman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Elayne and one infant daughter Gretchen Rose Buttenhoff.

Bob loved the outdoors and playing cards with his family and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 19, 2004 at Fuller-Speckien Funeral Home with Reverend Jack Olson and The Very Reverend H. Scott Kirby officiating. Friends may call from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at Fuller-Speckien Funeral Home. Please sign the guest book online at www.fullerspeckien.com. The family requests memorials to the YMCA or the charity of the donor's choice.