Robert M. Butalla

Robert "Bob" M. Butalla, 69, Marathon, died in his sleep at home on Tuesday, March 17, 2015. He was born October 17, 1945 in Wausau, son of the late Alex and Lorraine (Volhard) Butalla. On August 19, 1967, he married Mary Jean Papa. She survives. Bob worked at Marathon Cheese Corp. for over 40 years in Quality Control until his retirement. He also was a member of the National Guard. Bob enjoyed coaching basketball at St. Mary School and proudly coached the teams his children were on. Among his favorite pastimes, he loved fishing and hunting with his son and brother, Alan. He also loved to fish with his "fishing friends" and also his three grandsons, Kurt, Robert and David. Bob loved to sing and will be forever in our hearts. His favorite quote was "The sun will come up in the Morning". Survivors include, his wife, Mary Butalla, Marathon; three children, Jeffrey (Shari) Butalla, Marathon, Christine (Matt) Pobocik, Michigan and Rebecca (Paul) Prieve, Wausau; four grandsons, Robert and David Pobocik and Kurt and Luke Prieve; two brothers, Alan Butalla, Wausau and Larry (Audrey) Butalla, Antigo; two sisters, Lynette (Kerry) Lang, Wausau and Karen (Rodney) Hilmerhausen, Marathon; his mother-in-law, Helen Papa, Wausau; and two brothers-in-law, Stephen (Patty Prevost) Papa, Denver, Colo. and Richard (Lois) Papa, Rib Mountain. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Sara Butalla; his father-in-law, Steve Papa; and one sister-in-law, Karen Butalla. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2015 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com