NEW GLARUS - Palmer "Butch" Strickler was born on April 10, 1922 in New Glarus, WI, the son of Kathryn and Eugene Strickler. Born of a Swiss sausage maker, he always knew the meaning of hard work, having grown up in the family business. After graduating from New Glarus High School in 1940, Butch entered UW-Madison and played football and basketball before transferring to Ripon College where he became a hall of famer in both sports. In 1942, he entered the US Army and took part in the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Upon his honorable discharge, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Francis, in December 1945. He returned to the UW where he lettered in basketball before joining his father in business. Along with running the family business, Strickler's Market, Butch became a professional official for both high school and college basketball and football, and rose to the level of refereeing Big 10 games. In later years, he officiated the family croquet tournaments. In 1970, Butch took a few rings of venison sausage to a favorite Badger haunt, Rhode's Steak House. A hat was passed and $45 was collected, launching Butch's Badger Bologna Bash. Over the course of 30-plus years, the Bash raised more than $3 million for UW athletics and Band. Today a fully endowed "Butch and Ruth Strickler" scholarship is awarded to a UW athlete each year. Honors he received include the Pat O'Dea Award, president of the National W Club, W Club Man of the Year, Distinguished Alumni Award, WI Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, President of the Mendota Club, Madison Sports Hall of Fame, and the National W Club Hall of Fame Special Service Award. Butch and Ruth were charter members of Edelweiss Chalet Golf Course, and in retirement enjoyed entertaining friends with cookouts after their Sunday round of golf. Their tee time was 11:52, which always stuck in his mind. Butch was a lifetime member of Swiss United Church of Christ and a 70-year member of Stuessy-Kuenzi American Legion Post.

Butch passed away on April 19th at the New Glarus Home. He is survived by his children Jane (Kip Whitehead), Verona; John and Julie, New Glarus; grandchildren Kimberly Parizo, Monrovia, CA and Matthew Doepke, Minneapolis, MN; and great grandson Zachary Parizo, Monrovia, CA.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Ruth, infant son, and siblings Gilbert, Robert and Ilse.

Following a private service, visitation will be held on Saturday, April 23 at the Zentner-Beal Funeral Home, 29 Sixth Ave., New Glarus from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The family would like to thank the staff of the New Glarus Home and Monroe Clinic Hospice for their excellent care of Butch, and to Pastor William Wineke for his weekly visits.

"Hey Jerry... I've got an idea for a little party. Better gather the troops!"

An online memorial with guestbook is available at www.bealfuneralhomes.com.