Robert (Bob) Merlyn Butson

Robert (Bob) Merlyn Butson, formerly of Geneva, Iowa, died May 23, 2014 at the Avista Home, Houston, Texas. Robert was born on June 20, 1919, at Geneva, Iowa, to JJ (Joe) Butson and Wava Wagner Butson. Bob grew up on a farm along Highway 65 south of Hampton, attending Mackenzie Country School and graduating from Hampton High School in 1937. On May 24, 1941, Bob married Birdell Paine of Hampton. While in high school, Bob participated in track events and was a state pole-faulting champion. He was a member of the Franklin County Livestock judging team and the Iowa State judging team that won state honors two years in a row. Following high school Bob attend a technical welding school in Clear Lake, Iowa. Welding skills learned at this time served him well through out his life. He welded at a refrigeration plant in Galesburg, Illinois and was a welder on every type of airplane used in WWII from 1942-1947 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. He created welded playground equipment for his children, wrought iron tables, household items, holiday decorations, and repaired his own farm equipment. In the spring of 1947 Bob and Birdell returned to the Geneva area to begin farming. Farming was his passion. Until the summer of 2007 Bob was actively involved with farming operations earning recognition as a top soybean producer. He was active in the community serving as President of the Geneva Consolidated School District for three years, President of Franklin-Wright Farm Service organization for three years, participated in the creation of the Leander Reeve House, the Franklin County Museum and sang in the First Christian Church choir. He was a fun Grandpa to Christopher and Sean Butson, Aaron, Nathan and Sarah Maifeld, Daniel, Timothy and Kathryn Burggraf. Grandpa had seven snowmobiles and "Big Red" ATV to ride on the track in a bean field. He is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Vernon and Wendell Butson. He survived by his wife of 73 years, Birdell, one son, Gary (Linda) Butson of Silver Spring, Maryland, two daughters: Gail (Les) Maifeld of Burnsville, Minnesota, and Gloria (Dan) Burggraf of Tomball, Texas, eight grandchildren, and thirteen Great-Grandchildren. Memorials preferred to the Leander Reeve House in care of the Franklin County Historical Society. Burial will take place in the Lindenwood Cemetery, rural Geneva.

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Robert (Bob) Merlyn Butson

June 20, 1919 - May 23, 2014