Richard "Butch" Rutledge, 80, of Tama, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at his home under the care of his family and UnityPoint Hospice. A Memorial Mass will be held Monday, April 22, 2024 at 10:30 AM at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama with Father Michael McAndrew as celebrant. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama. A Memorial Visitation will be held Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 5-7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Richard was born on January 29, 1944, in Tama, Iowa, the son of Floyd and Evelena (Kriegel) Rutledge.

He graduated from South Tama High School in 1962.

On June 27, 1964, he was united in marriage to Betty Buresh at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Vining, Iowa. Butch worked at Gra-Iron Foundry in Marshalltown for twenty-six years and retired from the Tama Paperboard after sixteen years.

Butch was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In his spare time, he enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and woodworking. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and going to their activities.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-nine years, Betty of Tama; three daughters, Paula (Roger) Eberhart of Montour, Pam (Steve) Fowler of Tama, and Penny (Robert) Tyynismaa of Marshalltown; nine grandchildren, Bryce Eberhart, Paige (Matt) Moretz, Cecilie (Steve) Harrison, Riley (Hope) Fowler, Joyce Fowler, Robert (Hailee) Tyynismaa, Isabelle (Ben) Nichols, JoJo Tyynismaa and Tommy Tyynismaa; six great-grandchildren, Judy Harrison, Cayden and Aspen Moretz, Anya and Darrell Fowler with Evelena Rose Fowler due any day, and Ben Nichols Jr; two sisters, Bev (Harold) Rehberg of Keystone and Virginia "Susie" Rutledge of Tama; niece, Sherie Rehberg; and nephew, Fred Rehberg.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Evelena Rutledge.

Memorials may be directed to the Tama County Humane Society, Tama Ambulance Service or St. Patrick Catholic Church.