Eldred Buttke

Eldred Buttke, age 92, of Milbank, SD, (formerly of Corona, SD) died September 3, 2019, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 7, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Corona. Rev. Nathan Neugebauer will officiate and burial will be at Kilborn Lutheran Cemetery, Corona. Visitation will be held on Friday from 5 – 7 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the service.

Casket bearers will be: Jeff Buttke, Cory Hanson, Justin Hanson, Cody Buttke, Casey Buttke, Mark Rethke, Ben Rethke, Tyler Buttke, Travis Buttke, and Joe Rethke. Honorary bearers will be: Lori Adler and the Corona Coffee Crew.

Musicians will be: Marlene Dockter, organist; and his grandchildren, vocalists.

Eldred Melvin Buttke was born on August 25, 1927, at the home of his parents, Philip and Emma (Reil) Buttke. He attended country school. He was united in marriage with Alma Fischer on September 19, 1948, in Milbank, SD.

Eldred farmed all his life on the family farm. After retiring, he and Alma moved into Corona. He was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He loved attending his children’s and grandchildren’s activities – very seldom missed an event. He loved to hunt and track fox in fresh snow. He held a hunting license to the age of 89! He was an avid fisherman. He loved to play cards and was proud of his Ford vehicles and International tractors. He always had a horse!

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Alma of Milbank, SD; seven children: Marty (Deb) Buttke of Milbank, SD; Brian (Susie) Buttke of Corona, SD; Regina (Leslie) Rethke of Milbank, SD; Ronda (David) Hanson of Hartford Beach, SD; Brad (Donna) Buttke of Corona, SD; Brent (Renae) Buttke of Corona, SD; and James Buttke of Spearfish, SD; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brother, Richard (Judy) Buttke of Twin Brooks, SD; and sisters-in-law: Beverly Berkner of Ortonville, MN; and Marjorie Fischer of Arizona.

Eldred was preceded in death by his parents: Philip and Emma; grandson, Luke Rethke; sisters: Mavis Stanley, and Marjorie DeClercq; and great-granddaughter, Emily Hanson.