William “Bill” Bruce Buethe, 86, of rural Elk Creek, Nebraska, went to be with his Lord, Monday, May 6, 2024. He was born to Harold Carl and Erma Marie (Gottula) Buethe on February 14, 1938 in Pawnee City, Nebraska. Bill was baptized into the Christian Faith in 1938. He remained a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Bill attended District 59 (Hog Ridge), St. Peter’s Lutheran Parochial School and graduated from Elk Creek High School in 1956. He was an early member of the West Elk Creek 4-H Club. Bill participated in many different livestock projects, but Angus cattle are what grabbed his attention. After graduation, Bill worked at the Campbell’s Soup Company and the family farm. Bill became a member of the American Angus Association May 15, 1959 and built a registered Angus herd while taking over the family farm from his parents.
He was united in marriage to Susie Kirkendall on January 14, 1977 at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Elk Creek, Nebraska. The herd continued to grow after his marriage to Susie and the birth of their two sons, Bruce and Tim. Bill not only enjoyed raising and selling bulls, but never passed up a chance to go to a sale or visit with other Angus herds.
Bill served in the Army National Guard from 1959 to 1964 and was a member of the Tracy-Bates American Legion Post #370 of Elk Creek.
He is survived by his wife Susie, sons, Bruce Buethe and wife Amanda of Hutchinson, KS and Tim Buethe and wife Cassie of Elk Creek, granddaughter Tessa Buethe of Hutchinson, KS, sister Eldred Woltemath of Lincoln, father-in-law, Dean Kirkendall of Falls City and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Erma, mother-in-law Patty Kirkendall and brother-in-law Lee Woltemath.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 10, 2024 at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska with Rev. Bill Cornelius officiating. Loretta Kerchal, organist, accompanied congregational hymns, “Amazing Grace”, “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less” and “Beautiful Savior.” Pallbearers were Lori Gottula, Bobbi Gottula, Dallas Woltemath, Jay Woltemath, Austin Woltemath and Grant Watermann. Honorary pallbearers were Kevin Woltemath, Roxanne Gottula, Dixie Gottula, Spencer Woltemath, Ross Watermann, Alan Gottula, Kirk Bartels and Mike Wenzl. Interment was in the St. Peters Lutheran Cemetery, rural Elk Creek, Nebraska with military rites by the Tracy-Bates American Legion Post #370 of Elk Creek. Memorials may go to the family’s choice. Services were entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh, Nebraska.
