Don Butterbrodt born July 25, 1927 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, passed away February 20, 2013. Don is on his final backpacking trip to see The Lord. Don was preceded in death by his parents, August and Leona; his oldest brother, Larry and his wife of 57 years, Rita. He is survived by siblings, Louis of Milwaukee, Robert (Corrine) and Helen Hartman of Beaver Dam. Don was the youngest of five children raised on a farm in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Don served two years in the Army, and then attended floral design college in Chicago. He married his high school sweetheart, Rita Plendl, and headed west, settling in Tucson in 1950. He started working at Tom Inglis Flowers in 1950, became the owner in 1968 and later sold it to two of his sons. Don and Rita enjoyed many summers with friends and family at their cabin north of Durango. Traveling and backpacking were Don's great passions. His favorite treks included the Swiss Alps, the Grand Canyon, Machu Picchu, Copper Canyon, Colorado Peaks and local Arizona ranges. Don was an avid bridge player, enjoyed poker and the give and take at the local casinos. He was strong and generous in his Catholic faith and was a Knight of the Holy Order of the Sepulchre. He enjoyed spending time with his significant person, Patti Spaulding, for the last several years. He always believed in the joy of giving flowers to others. Don is survived by nine children, Steve (Ana), Andy (Jennifer), Jerry (Doty), Mary Macaluso (Richard), Paul (Julie), Lisa, Peter (Sheila), Patricia and Michael (Sandra). Don is survived by 18 grandchildren, Angela, Adriana, Andrea, Karen Loscavio (Michael), Laura Wing (Steve); Doty's children, Jason (Stacie), Weston (Jennifer), Tami (Jack), Ryan, Thomas, August, Bayleigh, Megan, Sarah, Matthew, Alexandra, Danielle and Chadwick and ten great- grandchildren: (Jerry and Doty's grandchildren) Isabella, Giuliana, James, Haley, Katelyn, Hanah, Ashley, Brooke, Jessica and Kaylie. Arrangements are being handled by BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL and Inglis Florists. Send cards to 2362 E. Broadway, Tucson, Arizona, 85719. Mass will be held in commemoration of Don's life at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1800 N. Camino Pio Decimo in Tucson on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Reception immediately following.
--- published in Tucson Daily Star