Loran H. Butzlaff

Because God needed a farmer, he called home his faithful servant, Loran Herman Butzlaff, on December 29, 2025, to till his fields and care for his herd after a ten-year battle with prostate cancer.

Loran was born September 16, 1939, the youngest of three children to Walter and Rosella (Haug) Butzlaff in the farmhouse where he would later return and live until his passing. Loran married his best friend and soulmate Rozanne Peil July 9, 1966. Together they raised their only child, Gary.

Loran left high school after his sophomore year to do what he loved, running the family dairy farm with his dad. In 2004, Loran sold his milk cows and raised beef cattle until 2014. The past 12 years, he and Gary raised cash grain crops. Loran enjoyed field work through much of this year’s harvest including combining soybeans and planting winter wheat. Being active and mentally intact until the end was God’s gift.

Loran loved good times with family and friends. He was extremely proud of Gary and his grandsons Henry and Owen. In his younger years, Loran followed the local stock car and modified racing circuit and snowmobiled. He enjoyed playing sheepshead, seeing “The Cherokees” perform at Lake Five, and listening to polka music while milking and later while he watched the world from the solitude of his machine shed.

Loran’s morning routine the last ten years included his “chores” feeding the cats, filling bird feeders, and taking UTV rides to scout his fields and check his crops. Loran looked forward to Sunday afternoon drives to see what was happening in the area. He and Rozanne took these day trips whenever the opportunity presented and over greater distances after she retired.

Loran is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Rozanne, his son Gary (Kathy), his grandsons Henry and Owen (girlfriend Callie), brothers and sisters-in-law Karen Butzlaff, Karen Kraemer, Lynne (Rick) Reindl, Bob (Terry) Peil, Janice (Tom) Ritger, and John (June) Peil, numerous nieces and nephews, and other extended family and friends. Loran was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Rosella, his parents-in-laws Walter and Lucille (Hembel) Peil, brother Lloyd, sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Ralph (Buddy) Duffrin, and brother-in-law Gordon Kraemer.

Visitation will occur 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. Saturday, January 17 at Peace United Church of Christ, Kewaskum with a memorial service afterward. A luncheon will follow at the church. Cremation has taken place with some of Loran’s remains to be spread at the farm this spring.

Rozanne would like to thank Dr. Liu, PA Erica Glass, and the clinical team at Carbone Cancer Center in Madison, Drs. Hicks and Machhi at Froedtert Hospital West Bend, Dr. Mian at Aurora West Bend, and the Aurora at Home hospice team for their compassionate care. Rozanne also thanks her nephew Randy Butzlaff for assisting her and Loran as his health faded this year. In lieu of flowers, she would appreciate memorials in Loran’s honor to UW Health Carbone Cancer Center directed to prostate cancer research or Peace Church in Kewaskum.