Burton Butler, 86, of Dubuque, passed away January 22, 2026, at Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque.

In lieu of services, the family will gather at a later date for a celebration of Burt’s life.

Burt was born on May 16, 1939, in Dubuque, Iowa. Burt was the oldest of Don and Lucille Butler’s four children and grew up on a small farm on Derby Grange Road, attending the one-room Derby Grange School. He inherited much strength from his indomitable mother.

Burt and his siblings knew long days of work on the farm – from early mornings milking to hot sweaty days bailing hay. Burt graduated in 1957 from Dubuque Senior High, where he met many lifelong friends, some becoming “the golf guys” in later years. He attended the University of Dubuque, graduating in 1961 with a degree in Physics. After graduation, Burt was employed by John Deere Dubuque Works for his entire career.

While in college, Burt met Ellen Dominy whom he married in 1961. Burt and Ellen’s first adventure together started when Burt was drafted into the Army and they moved to Edgewood, Maryland where he served two years in the Army Chemical Corps. While there, they had their first son, Brett (Laura) Butler (Bernard, IA). They returned to Dubuque and had two more children, Beth (Terry) Schaul (Oconomowoc, WI) and Bart (Elizabeth) Butler (Celebration, FL).

Burt and Ellen were a great team, mapping out life together. That applied to family road trips, too. Every summer before shut-down, Burt could be found planning and routing the next Butler family trip. The early years were always fishing in Spooner, WI. Burt was an avid history buff, and particularly a student of the Civil War. He planned multiple trips with those historic sites in mind. He especially loved the relaxing beaches of Myrtle Beach, SC.

Burt took his role as provider seriously. He was incredibly hard working and thrived in his career at John Deere. Burt enjoyed the management of systems and people and was admired in his leadership roles. He wrote two books for his children, sharing his management philosophies. Burt retired as the Facility General Manager in 1999 after 38 years.

Burt also thrived in his retirement. He and Ellen traveled regularly. They often visited Ellen’s sister in Arizona, and they traveled internationally with several trips to Europe. They loved going to Florida to visit their son Bart, Elizabeth and Fiona. And a big piece of Burt’s retirement was golf. He applied his studious ways to the game of golf after retirement, enjoying weekly golf (and burgers and beers) with the golf guys. He even achieved the rare hole-in-one at Bunker golf course.

Burt was a beloved father, grandfather, and uncle. He especially adored his grandchildren, always keeping tabs on their schooling and jobs. Whether he was called Grandpa or Papa, it was always with much love and admiration from his five grandchildren, Morgan and Benjamin Butler (Des Moines, IA), Calvin (New York, NY), and Olivia (Chicago, IL) Schaul; and Fiona (Miami, FL) Butler.

Burt is survived by two children, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, five grandchildren, sister, Janice (Bob) Miller and brother, Dean (Patti) Butler, sister-in-law, Mary (Dick) Haupert, brother-in-law, David (Ruth) Dominy and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen; his son, Bart; his parents; sister, Jeanette Anderson; sisters-in-law, Patti Butler and Jane (Ken) Dalsing; brothers-in-law, brother Bob Miller, Phillip Dominy, Dick Haupert and James Dominy.

Hoffmann Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Crematory is in care of the arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Burt’s obituary at www.hskfhcares.com. The family thanks the amazing caregivers at Stonehill and Hospice of Dubuque. All are angels on earth.