Lonnie was born to Alblee and Ada Davis Butzke on December 8th, 1946 in Hempstead, Texas, where he lived all during his childhood. He attended and graduated from the Hempstead High School.
Lonnie met his wife, Helen, at The Church of Christ Jesus, where Lonnie and his sister, Joanna, would sing songs of the gospel requested by his future father-in-law, Norman Shelton. Lonnie was very active in the church. He became the youth director and participated in several fellowships, church camps and youth services. He and Helen were married on November 28, 1966 in Houston, Texas at the very same church where they met. The couple had three children; Bobby, Brian and Tonya and shared a beautiful life together until Helen passed away on May 12, 1978. This left Lonnie empty inside but he never lost faith in God and his family. Later that year, he met and married Peggy Sue Linscomb through the church, The Assembly of God. She married and adopted the young family on September 17th, 1978. She and Lonnie were married for 41 years.
In addition to being a dedicated and loving father and husband, Lonnie’s second family was his CB&I family. He spent most of his career, over 30 years, with Chicago Bridge and Iron, starting out as a production welder he did most every job in the fabrication shop, including leadman, foreman, maintenance manager, shop foreman, shop superintendent and retired in 1996 as facility manager at the Houston Fabrication shop/facility. In addition, he played host to many company events and picnics that helped foster goodwill and fun in that community. Lonnie was not one to ever sit still, he continued to stay busy with other jobs at Walmart and Hickory Hollow in Magnolia.
Lonnie loved to work with his hands…metal work, wood-work, repairing automobiles and even quilting. He loved to quilt blankets for everyone, including signature blankets for weddings and other special occasions, but most especially baby quilts. He proudly donated over 200 baby quilts to Texas Children’s hospital. His other love was his garden. He loved to be in his garden working on all his vegetables, not to eat mind you but to give away. He was very generous and loved to share the fruit of his labor with family and friends.
Lonnie had a fondness for music and musical instruments, at an early age he bought himself a guitar and learned to play it himself. He had a knack for playing by ear, if he listened to a song several times, he taught himself how to play it on the guitar. He and his sister, Joanna (who played the accordion), played for church services, revivals and church camps. Later on in life he learned to play violin, banjo, mandolin and even made his own banjimmer to play (a cross between a banjo and guitar). He loved to sing, some of his favorites were Fraulein (a song he taught himself to play on violin), Please Help Me I’m Falling, and Hey Good Lookin’. Naturally, all three he sang with his own twist on them.
Lonnie joins his beloved wife, Helen, his mother, Ada and father, Alblee, along with other loved ones dear to his heart who were called home before him.
He is survived by his beloved Peggy, his siblings; Joanna Butzke Phillips and husband Billy, Alb Butzke and wife Debbie, Tim Butzke and wife Cheryl, Nathaniel Butzke and wife Charlene, sister-in-law Cheryl Butzke; also many loving nieces and nephews. His children; son Bobby Butzke and wife Rhonda, son Brian Butzke and wife Angie, and daughter Tonya Butzke. He loved all of his grandchildren; Deborah and her husband Shawn Chandler, Kody, Emma, Rilee, Ashlei and her husband Alec Stutes, Jace, Maddie and Cullen. He was blessed with two great-grandchildren; Robert and Leeland.
He is also survived by his untold numbers of friends. Lonnie never met a stranger and always left friends with a story or joke, and very often with a song.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The American Diabetes Association on Lonnie’s behalf. As many know, Lonnie suffered from the disease since he was 11 years old.
To all of you who have shown love and support through words, actions and thoughts to our family during this difficult time, we love and appreciate all of you, thank you.
We will miss him greatly.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 18th at 10:00 a.m. at Magnolia Cowboy Church 23247 Glenmont Estates Blvd, Magnolia, TX 77355
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