Gordon Mac Budde, 91, passed away Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, in his home, in the presence of his family.
He was born Oct. 30, 1924, in Ontario to Lewis and Emma (Rumppe) Budde. Gordon grew up on a farm in Ontario and graduated from Ontario High School in the class of 1942. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion throughout his life.
After his military service, Gordon attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where he met and married Dorothy (Jentz) Budde, his wife of 67 years. Gordon graduated with a degree in chemistry and worked in quality control for Oscar Meyer in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Madison for more than 40 years. Together Gordon and Dorothy raised three children: Robert, Janice, and Tom. Gordon was a man of faith and a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie.
Gordon and Dorothy retired in 1990 and spent their retirement years exploring the world. They visited all 50 U.S. states together and traveled abroad to Australia, New Zealand and Panama and throughout Europe, including Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France. Gordon and Dorothy were snowbirds, spending many winters together in Daytona Beach and Zephyr Hills, Fla., to escape the Wisconsin winters. Gordon’s hobbies included camping and fishing, and he especially enjoyed woodworking. Gordon also loved dogs, especially dachshunds.
The most important thing in Gordon’s life was his family. He was a devoted husband, supportive father, favorite uncle, and generous grandfather. He was the backbone of his family and will be deeply missed by many.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Dorothy Budde; his children, Janice (Thomas) Anderson and Tom (Karen) Budde; his grandchildren, Kurt (Marjorrie Custudio) Anderson, Kristen Anderson and Erik Anderson; his great-grandchildren, Nilo and Perla Anderson; his brother, Kenny (Delores) Budde; his sisters-in-law, Lois Jentz and Giustina Budde; his nephews and nieces, Susan (Tim) Lange, Mary (Bruce) Place, Jim (Michelle) Jentz, Larry (Carolyn) Barnhart, Colleen (Greg) Lentz, Carla (Ron) McNulty, and Al (Lynnae) Budde; and other relatives and many friends.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Robert Budde; his sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy Barnhart and Byron Barnhart; and his brother-in-law, Richard Jentz.
Funeral services will be at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 232 Windsor St., Sun Prairie, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m., with Pastor Luke C. Werre officiating. Burial will take place at Hilltop Rest Cemetery in Ontario at 3 p.m. A visitation will be at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.
The family would like to thank the staff at Home Health United Hospice for the compassionate care they provided to Gordon.
