LaVerne K. (Becker) Butzbach

Nov 4, 1920 - Jan 24, 2001

LaVerne K. Butzbach, 80, of Salinas, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2001, at Pacific Care Center after a lengthy illness.

She was born in Chicago and lived in Salinas for 16 years. She graduated from Central High School in South Bend, Ind., and attended Purdue University. She moved to Delaware in 1941 and settled in New Jersey in 1947, where she was active in Women's Club and served as president of New Jersey State Women's Club. She enjoyed theater, travel and time with her friends and family. She was an activist for education of retarded children and was the key person responsible for starting special education classes in the public schools of New Jersey.

She and her husband, Robert G. "Bob" Butzbach, were instrumental in starting the New Jersey Association for Retarded Citizens and was founder of Camp Sun and Fun for retarded children. She was the founder of Butzbach Opinion Research Service and supervisor for National Opinion Research Center, affiliated with the University of Chicago. Memberships: Salinas Woman's Club, Cypress Community Church and Valley Guild.

Survivors: Son, Robert G. (Debi) Butzbach Jr. of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; daughters, Sharon L. (Vearl) Gish of Salinas and Gale Ann Butzbach of Santa Cruz; sister, Beverly Reeder of Wilmington, Del.; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Services: Memorial services 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at Cypress Community, Church, Highway 68 de Tierra Road, Salinas.

Placement of ashes: Gracelawn Memorial Park, Wilmington, Del., at a later date.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donor's favorite charity. Arrangements: Struve and Laporte Funeral Home, 41 W. San Luis St., Salinas.

Article from 26 Jan 2001 The Californian (Salinas, CA)

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

03/31/2026 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/135421428/laverne-k-butzbach