Thomas E. Butzke

Thomas “Tom” Elroy Butzke, age 66, passed away on March 26, 2020.
Tom was born on October 10, 1953 to the late Elroy and Lucille (Backhaus) Butzke.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Brooke Butzke; one brother, Robert (Kathy) Butzke of West Bend, Wisconsin; three Sisters, Bonnie Skrentny of Kewaskum, Wisconsin, Jane (Bob) Laubenstein of Green Bay, Wisconsin and Kelly Rosenthal of Lexington, Kentucky. He is further survived by his many nieces and nephews.
Tom was a graduate of Kewaskum High School and majored in accounting at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Tom worked as an accountant for the IRS, the Wisconsin State Department of Revenue and various other accounting firms. Tom also worked in a variety of jobs in construction and landscaping. He was especially proud of his work with recovering alcoholics through his involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous. He was an active member for years as a proud sponsor for many people and an educator of the 12 steps. He treasured the relationships he developed with both his sponsors and those he mentored, viewing them as a second family.
Tom loved the outdoors including fishing, hunting and being out in the woods. He often recalled the farm, cutting wood and spending time with his Uncle Vic. He loved watching movies, the Packers, the Brewers, and reading westerns. Tom recently enjoyed the simple pleasure of playing cards for nickels and pennies. He took great pride in his well-styled mustache, using lip balm as his “go to” tool of choice for that perfect curl, thus acquiring the nickname “Uncle Chap Stick” from some of his nieces and nephews. Tom had a beautiful and booming singing voice, only equaled by his enthusiastic laugh.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Woolman-Teeple; and his brother-in-law, Thomas Skrentny.
Tom lived a simple life. Given many difficulties in his life, Tom lived positively and held tight to his faith in Jesus, in the values of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the Serenity Prayer.
Funeral plans are pending.
The family would like to thank the ICU staff at Froedtert Hospital (West Bend), Dr. Olafasson, Dr. Moni, the Nurses, and a host of other really compassionate providers, especially in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Their care and support allowed him to pass with the grace and dignity he and his family desired.
God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And Wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace. Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it. Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will. That I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen –Reinhold Niebuhr
The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family. (262) 338-2050 / www.phillipfuneralhome.com