Willard Henry “Hank” Butzlaff passed away unexpectedly May 1, 2019 at the age of 84. He suffered with Alzheimer’s and was a resident for many years at the Elkhorn Health & Rehab nursing home in Clancy, MT.
Born July 24, 1934 in Wolf Point, MT, Hank was the only child of Willard E and Elizabeth Mae (Pickett) Butzlaff. He graduated from Wolf Point High School and attended Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR for three years. In 1956 he married Thelma Rounds of Whitefish, MT. By 1961 they had four children, a daughter and three sons, all born in Wolf Point.
Hank worked as a surveyor for the Montana State Highway Department for the next thirteen years, moving his family between Wolf Point, Scobey and Malta. In the summer of 1969 he packed up everyone and headed back to Forest Grove to finish school.
While earning his bachelor’s degree in Biology, they lived next door to and worked at a local funeral chapel and ambulance service. He would later recount some memorable stories and experiences there with his usual dry humor and wit.
In 1971 they returned to Montana where Hank began working for the Highway Department … this time at the state offices in Helena. He retired in 1994 as Supervisor of the Safety Management Division. A job he was very proud to have held for over 20 years.
Hank and Thelma divorced in 1988, and even though he had several long-time girlfriends, he never remarried. He spent his retirement doing what he loved, golfing, sailing and traveling. He visited almost every country in the world; those that he wanted to see.
Hank is survived by his daughter Deborah of Helena; son, Michael and wife Corliss of Helena; son Ronald of Wells River, VT; son, Dennis of Oakland, CA; and three grandchildren, Michael, Jr and wife Nicole of Columbia Falls; Dawn Leivas and husband Daniel of Lake Havasu City, AZ; Timothy Anderson and wife Kelley of East Helena; and five great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer’s association or your favorite charity. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Hank.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Saturday July 27, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Saturday July 27, 2019
Soical Hall of Anderson Stevsnon Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Monana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
1:00 p.m.
Saturday July 27, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Saturday July 27, 2019
Soical Hall of Anderson Stevsnon Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Monana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Jim & Sally says
We are so sorry about Hank. He is now in a better place. God Bless all of you.
John & Cherie Dahl says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Hank was a good friend from the Highway Department and especially the many years we played poker together 🙏
Carl & Pam Peil says
Our prayers and thoughts are with Hank’s family. We’re sure he’s in a better place where the sailing is smoother (Hank probably would like a little excitement in it tho), the golf balls fly further and straighter, the poker hands are all winners and the socks and pants match. Hank was a great friend and has been missed.
Dennis Broadbrooks says
Butzlaff Family:
Sorry for your loss, all of you have been on my mind for each year of my life. Hank was a kick in the pants kind of a guy, and I mean that in the best of ways!!! All the teasing was the best way to make a friend. Now that I know where you all live, you are all in trouble!!! I might have been a kid then, but that doesn’t matter, just that I’m a little older and bigger and still a Kid! I love you all and send me your address, we can catch up then!