Judd Grove Butler

LINK TO VIEW LIVESTREAM OF JUDD'S SERVICE:

https://youtube.com/live/EiEV9igNnAc

Judd Grove Butler, son of the late Grace Griffith Butler and J. Grove Butler was born August 22, 1931, in Omaha, Nebraska, and quietly departed this life on January 25, 2023, at the age of 91 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was also preceded in death by his cousins Robert Grove Griffith, Beverly Nell Reed Thompson, and William Griffith Reed.

Judd was known by two names depending on when you first met him. He was Grove to all of his family and friends while growing up and in adulthood, he was known as Judd. For those of us who knew him as both, we sometimes use both or either of his names. We think he enjoyed it in his own positive way.

Judd Grove was a proud Freemason, a member of the Sioux City Scottish Rite, a 60-year member of Abu Bekr Shrine Temple, a beloved member of Sioux City Court 124 Royal Order of Jesters, and the Lions Club. He attended Iowa University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the School of Business. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity.

After college, Judd had a job with the Shelby County Assessor where he learned the art of surveying. He then went on to work for the Iowa Department of Revenue as a Field Auditor in Sioux City, Iowa, until he retired. He was well respected and liked by the many companies he completed Use Tax audits on.

Judd never married but along his life’s path, he had a longtime companion, Joan Helseth along with picking up a daughter, Pam Fleckenstein, and her sister, Linda Black. He was asked how did he have children while never being married and he said, “I didn’t know you had to be married to have children!”  Other times, he would ask people, “Have you ever heard of adoption?” And, finally, when some of the residents at Bickford asked how his daughter Pam came into his life he said in all seriousness, “I kidnapped her!”  We had a great laugh about that one.

Judd Grove is survived by his daughter, Pamela Fleckenstein of Nebraska, first cousin Lynn Griffith and family from Oregon, second cousins William Reed of Texas, Wesley Reed of Colorado, Krecia Thompson-Brenden of Washington, Kyle Thompson of Washington, and Keri Thompson of South Dakota. And, many other cousins and, innumerable brothers and friends in all the Organizations and Brotherhoods he was very active in.

A Masonic Service and Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City, IA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Private burial will be held at Oakwood Cemetery near Casey, IA.

Donations and memorial gifts may be made to the Abu Bekr Shrine Transportation Fund and Shriners Children’s-Twin Cities.