Richard Winke

Richard L. “Butch” Winke, 80, of Waukon, died Saturday, December 27, 2014 at his home in rural Waukon. Memorial services will be held Friday, January 2 at 11 a.m. at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon with Pastor Tom Buresh officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Zalmona Cemetery. Friends may call from 2-5 p.m. Thursday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.
Richard Lyle “Butch” Winke was born November 4, 1934 in Waukon, the only child of Benjamin Henry and Amelia Caroline (Selberg) Winke. He was baptized at Salem United Church of Christ and confirmed at Zalmona Presbyterian Church. Butch attended rural Ludlow schools and graduated from Waukon High School in 1952. After helping his dad on the farm for a couple of years he served in the U.S. Army from 1954 until 1956 with much of that duty in Germany. Following his discharge he returned to Waukon where he worked for Farm Service.  December 6, 1958, Butch married Mary Kay Kerndt at the First Presbyterian Church in Waukon. During the mid 1960s he began farming full time - operating a dairy herd and raising beef, hogs and grain. During the 1980s he began a career in carpentry and construction, first with Don Lyon and later with Ernie Lubahn. During some of these same times he also spent 29 years as a school bus driver for the Allamakee Community School District and four to six weeks each summer for 28 years as a field inspector for Pioneer Seed Company.
Butch was a long-time active member of Zalmona Presbyterian Church where he had served as an Elder and Trustee. He was a director for the Federal Land Bank and a member of Farm Bureau. Butch was also active in the VFW and American Legion and for many years participated with their Honor Guard for military graveside rites.
An avid outdoor enthusiast, Butch enjoyed fishing, particularly some trips to Canada, and hunting, especially getting ready for the annual deer camp he hosted. Playing cards, woodworking, and following the Packers and Hawkeyes were other favorite pastimes. He was a devoted family man and loved camping outings when the kids were younger and to follow all of the activities they were involved in.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Kay of Waukon; his children, Rick and Dorothy, both of Waukon; a sister-in-law, Becky (Larry) Litterer of Dougherty, and many other nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, David Kerndt.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.