Charles Dennis “Butch” Nortman, 76, passed away February 3, 2020, after a long struggle with cancer.
Visitation will be held at First Church United 1100 North Calhoun St. West Liberty, Iowa from 4-7 pm on Thursday, February 6 and services, also at First Church United, at 10:30, am on Friday, February 7. The Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established at Midwest One Bank to be split between tree planting at the West Liberty Country Club and the music program at First Church United.
Butch was born in Oak Park, Illinois on March 10, 1943, to Charles J. and Leota Nortman. After the war, the family returned to West Liberty where he attended school and graduated in 1961. He attended Muscatine Community College and the University of Iowa. In 1963, he married Karen Musser.
Butch worked as a machinist and eventually plant manager at Rohner Machine Works until 1991. After several years as an industrial supply salesman, he purchased E. J. Peeters Tool Company in Wilton. In 2006, he retired and drove a school bus, leaving plenty of time for golf, which he loved. He served on the board and one term as president of the West Liberty Country Club. During this time, he acquired a private pilot’s license to enjoy his love of flying. He doted on his grandchildren and followed their exploits in music and athletics whenever possible.
Butch was an active volunteer in West Liberty, serving as Cubmaster for the Cub Scouts and participating in a number of community projects. He was a member of First Church United and for many years sang in the choir. He also served on the church board and the board of deacons. He was a member of the West Liberty Park Board and the Board of Adjustment.
He and Karen became avid campers in retirement and enjoyed trips to the Southeast, Southwest, the Dakotas, and Michigan, as well as short trips to nearby parks with friends. Butch also was a diehard Iowa Hawkeye fan.
He is survived by his wife Karen, two sons: Andrew (Stacy) of Kewanee, Illinois, and Patrick (Jill) of Allen, Texas, and one daughter, Katherine Christensen (Ron) of Martinsburg, West Virginia; eight grandchildren: Tyrus, Tuan, Stevensen, Brooke, Jessica, Jack, Elliot and Sophie; two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Jordy; and six brothers and sisters: John Nortman, St. Louis; Andrea Christensen, North Liberty; Mike Nortman, Muscatine; Dan Nortman, Lincoln, NE; Harriet Hald, West Liberty; and Mary Larson, West Liberty. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers-in-law.
