In Memory of Walter "Butch" Rehse

Walter “Butch” Rehse, age 78, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2017, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held on 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Rev. Richard A. Salcido will officiate. Committal Service will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the McNamara – Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion both of Ida Grove, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at the Christensen – Van Houten Funeral Home, of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

    Walter Fred Rehse, Jr., lovingly known as “Butch”, was born March 9, 1939, in Ida Grove, Iowa. He was the son of Walter and Evelyn (Kiertzner) Rehse. Butch was baptized in his faith on April 23, 1939, and confirmed on March 29, 1953, in the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa, where he was a life-long member.  He attended Ida Grove Public Schools and graduated from Ida Grove High School with the class of 1957.

    On March 12, 1961, Butch married Janet Godbersen in the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Galva, Iowa. To this union five children were born: Kurt, Renae, Kevin, Walter III, and Valarie.

     Butch proudly served his country in the Army National Guard from 1956-1964. From 1960 to 1969, Butch worked for United Builders of Ida Grove, Iowa, where he started out as a laborer and ended his career as a finish carpenter. During this time he helped build churches, schools, worked on the Ida Grove King Theater, and hung all of the vinyl in the Horn Memorial Hospital that still hangs today.

    In 1969, Butch and Janet moved to the country in Silver Creek Township to farm.  Butch planted corn and soybeans. He also raised livestock, including hogs and cattle. In 2003, the family helped to build a new home on Butch’s childhood farm, which is now today a century farm. Butch enjoyed farming up to until his death. He also enjoyed many fishing trips, playing cards, trips to the casino, and raising a large garden that he loved to share with his children and friends.

    Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 56 years Janet Rehse; children Kurt (Ranea) Rehse, Renae (John) Brookbank, Kevin (Brenda) Rehse, Walter (Karman) Rehse, and Valarie (Jason) Hinrickson; grandchildren Rebecca, Bethany, Abby, Nick, Ryan, Adam, Alex, Shelby, Tyler, and Paige; great-grandchildren Addison, Jaiston, Ashtyn and one on the way; sisters Deloris Stewart, Rheta Negless, and Mary Corbin; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

    Butch is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Evelyn Rehse and sister Elaine Ehlen.