Maurice A. Butikofer

Maurice Arnold (Moe) Butikofer was born May 29, 1919, in Coltman, Idaho, the oldest son of Rudolph Arnold Butikofer and Bertha Lucile Linck Butikofer.

Maurice graduated from Ucon High School in 1937. He served an LDS mission in the Southern States Mission. During World War II, he was in the Marine Corp and fought bravely on Saipan, Iwo Jima and in the South Pacific.

On February 18, 1946, he married Rachel Carver in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They farmed in Coltman and raised two daughters, Charlotte (Robert) Argyle of Ogden, and Delree Jones of Idaho Falls. Rachel preceded him in death in 1972.

Maurice married Anita Murphy McCartney on February 22, 1974, in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. Anita and four of her children, Andra (Scott) Proctor, Lenna, Janna (Bruce) Barnum and Brian (Janice), came to live on the farm in Coltman. Her oldest son, Myles, remained in Richland, Washington.

For 25 years, Maurice worked at American Potato in Blackfoot as a supervisor. He served as a Republican County Chairman, a water master and was a recipient of a Purina Farming Award.

He enjoyed serving in many capacities in his church, and was a wonderful teacher and writer. He loved his farm, Black Angus cattle, traveling, reading and his soap. He was a kind, patient, charitable person and was loved by all.

Maurice passed away on March 29, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife; his children; stepchildren; four grandchildren, Dallas, Talia, Dacquiri and Cory; 13 stepgrand- children, Krystal, Bryson, Starla, Ryan, Kyle, Robby, Savanah, Breann, Brittney, Jared and Jacob; three great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Merrill, Eldred, Preston, Howard, Allen, Reed and John; and a sister, Maureen May of Portland, Ore. Besides his first wife, Rachel, he was preceded in death by a sister, Gladys Treffrey.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 2, 2009, at the Coltman LDS 1st Ward Chapel, 12448 N. 5th East, with Bishop Larry Clayton officiating. The family will visit with friends from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First St. in Idaho Falls, and at the church Thursday one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in Grant Cemetery with military rites by the Bonneville County Veterans Team and the Idaho Honor Guard.

A special thanks to family, friends, Aspen Hospice and Idaho Health and Rehabilitation for their kindness during Maurice's illness. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.

Family Tribute