Dennis Butterbaugh

Dennis P. Butterbaugh, 86, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2024, at Magnolia Springs Bridgewater in Carmel, Indiana.

Dennis (Denny) Paul Butterbaugh was born December 30, 1937, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of Paul and Pauline (Smith) Butterbaugh. Denny was a loving son and brother, a devoted husband and father, and a doting grandfather and great grandfather. He graduated from Kendallville High School in Kendallville, IN in 1956. He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1962 and was a lifelong Boilermaker fan.

In 1957, Denny married Gloria Ann Sawyer. Denny and Gloria were lifelong residents of Rochester, MN, after a transfer with IBM in 1963. He retired from IBM after a 30+ year career and, in retirement, was a busy volunteer. Denny was a man of many interests and loves, but he was, first and foremost, a faithful and devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Denny and Gloria were lifelong members of Bethany United Methodist Church until it closed when they then transferred their church affiliation to Evangel United Methodist Church. Denny lived his strong faith in action, joining mission trips within the United States and internationally. He participated in many church committees too numerous to list, ranging from finances to bell choir to "trunk or treat" to assisting people in need. He donated his time, talent, and treasure to various food ministries and volunteered weekly at Channel One in Rochester for many years.

Denny was a great outdoorsman. He designed and built a rustic cabin on the Cloquet River west of Duluth, MN, where he loved to canoe, hike, and chop wood. He was an avid genealogist, tracing his family history back many generations. He was a voracious reader and a history buff. He was passionate about all cars and lovingly restored a classic 1952 XK120 Jaguar. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Gloria Butterbaugh (2021), and 2 of his 4 siblings and their spouses, Carol (Charlie) Moses and Michael (Sarah) Butterbaugh.

Dennis is survived by his children, daughter Catherine (Thomas) Penno; sons Jeffery (Donna) Butterbaugh and Matthew (Susan) Butterbaugh; grandchildren, Daniel Penno, Michael (Jena) Penno, Cassandra Butterbaugh, Brandon Butterbaugh, Mitchell (Laura) Butterbaugh, Reece Butterbaugh, Samuel (Lauren) Butterbaugh, Leah (Brice) Burris; great grandchildren, Wesley, Bennett, Mattea, Beau, Josephine, and Simon. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy (Roger) Thompson, brother, Patrick (Sandy) Butterbaugh, and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 6, 2024, at Evangel United Methodist Church (2645 N. Broadway Ave., Rochester, MN). Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. IF you'd like to watch the live stream of the service you can do that here: https://evangelum.org . Rev. David Werner will officiate. Interment will follow at Oakwood East Cemetery, Rochester, MN. In memory of Dennis, memorials may be given to Evangel United Methodist Church, Rochester.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes is honored to be serving the Butterbaugh family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www. ranfranzandvinefh.com.