Albert Butikofer

Albert Allen Butikofer, age 92, died November 29, 2021, at the Gundersen Palmer Hospital in West Union, IA.  Albert was born to Marie (Schupbach) and Albert Butikofer, Sr. on October 28, 1929.  He attended the Cheery Valley country school.  On April 2, 1950, he was baptized and joined the Apostolic Christian Church, where he served as a song leader for many years.  In 1951-52, Albert and his brother Bert served their country together in Korea as non-combatants in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  

     Albert married LaVerne Ida Fischer (Roanoke, IL) on August 7, 1966.  They farmed together on the Butikofer home place southeast of Elgin, IA for 33 years, producing crops, livestock, and honey.  In May of 2000, they moved to Elgin and lived there until moving to Copper Creek Senior Living in January of 2021. Albert will be remembered for his wit and strong convictions, both of which he retained to the very end. 

     Albert is survived by his six children - Tom (Darla) Butikofer of Clermont, IA, Betty (Kent) Getz of Elgin, IA, Sandy (Jim) Knobloch of West Bend, IA, Jim (Diana) Butikofer of Marion, IA, Gene Butikofer, and Heidi Butikofer of Elgin, IA; 22 grandchildren - Sydney (Christopher) Alvarez, Valerie, Luke, and Lance Butikofer - Tierra (Jesse) Kaeb, Oren, Bahlor, Levi, Silas, Joel, Emily, and Titus Getz - Jordan (Erica) Knobloch, Andrea (Harrison) Frank, Larae, and Jed Knobloch - Kyla (Jonny) Reinhard, Garett, Wyatt, Larissa, Mitchell, and Tanner Butikofer; seven great-grandchildren; and three siblings - Paul Butikofer, William Butikofer, and Shirley Nester. 

     Albert was preceded in death by his wife, LaVerne; their infant daughter, Heather; and six siblings - Anna, Harry, Reuben, Elizabeth Moore, Bert, and Ruth Wiegand. 

Visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Apostolic Christian Fellowship Center (church basement) in Elgin, Iowa. There was also a one hour visitation before services at the church on Monday.

Funeral Service was at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 6, 2021 at Apostolic Christian Church in Elgin, Iowa.

Burial followed at Apostolic Cemetery in Elgin, Iowa.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.