Ervin George Butzlaff, Jr.
Ervin George Butzlaff, Jr. passed away at Clearview Nursing Home on the morning of January 10, 2025.
A Memorial Service for Ervin will take place on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Mayville with Rev. Traci Maass officiating. A visitation for Ervin will be held at church on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. Inurnment will follow the service at Graceland Cemetery.
He was the eldest son born to Ervin and Louise (Herman) Butzlaff in the Town of Kewaskum. Baptized and confirmed in Peace United Church of Christ in Kewaskum. From an early age, Ervin was a hard-worker and farming was in his blood. At age 16, he purchased his maternal grandfather’s farm in the Town of Wayne in Washington County. He always had a love for land and driving tractors.
On November 12, 1960, he married June Ann Schwarze. Both drove school bus. Erv also worked at the Gehls Factory in West Bend. After seven years, Erv and June bought and moved to June’s family farm between Mayville and Horicon in Dodge County. He converted the farm to a dairy farm and enjoyed milking cows for many years. He also raised beef cattle and crops. They added more land to this farm over the years.
Erv and June were married 30 years when June died suddenly. They always worked the farm as a team. They hosted a Nicaraguan Agriculture Exchange Student. They loved when family members would come visit “the Homestead.”
In 2015, the farm was honored as a State Sesquicentennial Farm. That same year, they hosted a Schwarze Family Reunion with many relatives in attendance.
Erv drove bus for over 50 years and enjoyed the students who he transported. He was saddened when diabetes cut his job short.
Erv leaves behind his two daughters, Bambi Butzlaff Voss (James Voss) of Nashotah, Jodi Franke (James Franke) of Horicon; four grandchildren, Le’erin Voss (Ernesto Bogarin Miranda) of Hartland, Chantal Voss (Thomas Sapranidis) of New York City, Brandon and Kayleigh Franke, both of Horicon; and three great-grandchildren, Ernesto (Eston), Vianca, and Chiara Bogarin Voss. He also has two surviving brothers, William (Carol) Butzlaff and LeRoy (JoAnn) Butzlaff, along with a sister-in-law, Louise Wagner (Charles), nieces and nephews and godchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, June; his parents, Ervin and Louise Butzlaff; his sister, Janet Brandt (Bill Meyer, Howard Kirchner, and George Brandt); his Godson and nephew, Dennis Hartwig; and farm helper, Jorey Foat, along with sisters-in-law, Arlene Twardokus (Marvin) and Mary Ellen Rasmussen (Larry) and friends.
Erv had a big personality and enjoyed conversing with strangers and friends, neighbors, relatives, attending farm events, helping his children with showing animals at the fair and watching RFD TV.
He had a fondness for the Dells, Maggie May (a Wisconsin country singer), lake views and family. He loved living by the Horicon Marsh and lived in his home up until recently.
His family would like to say thank you to those who took care of him in his last year which include Home Instead (Beaver Dam), Comfort Keepers (Fond du Lac), Right at Home (Germantown), Clearview Nursing Home (Juneau) and Common Hearts Hospice.
Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville is caring for the family. www.Koepsellfh.com