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Cortland Funke II Obituary

Cortland Alvin Roy Leslie Funke II died at his home on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at the age of 74, after battling lung cancer for more than a year.  
    Cortland, more commonly known as Butch, was born on Aug. 23, 1943 in Wabasha.  After graduating from Lincoln High School in Lake City in 1961, Butch entered the United States Navy where he served until 1969.  He received medals for his service during the Vietnam War. His port stops in Japan and Hong Kong developed his love of cooking and eating Asian cuisine.  
    When his ship docked in Powell River, British Columbia, Canada he met the love of his life, Lorna.  They married in 1967 in Powell River, and their son, Danny, was born that same year. After living in Canada, California and Colorado, Butch settled with his family in Wabasha in 1981.  For many years, Butch drove truck for Golden Loaf Flour and later for Heat-N-Glo in Lake City.  In his free time, Butch loved gardening, hunting, tinkering in his shop, and trying out new recipes.  He loved entertaining his two grandsons with stories, jokes, and games of chess. He will be remembered for his generous spirit, his sense of humor and storytelling, and his love of family.  He could chat with family and friends for hours over cups of coffee.  His life’s motto was “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”  
    He is survived by his son, Danny (Laura) and grandsons, Owen and Benjamin.  He is also survived by his sisters, Aleta Thoe of Lake City, Theresa Darling of Denver, Colo., Esther Haley of Prior Lake, Minn. and Vanessa Martin of Paulsbo, Wash., and their spouses; as well as many beloved extended family members and friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorna, mother, Lorraine (Stegemeyer), father, Cortland, brother, Herman, and sister, Dorothy.  
    A celebration of Butch’s life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Theilman at the Opera House.  
 

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ISSN 2994-1059 (print)  ISSN 2994-1067 (online)