* There will no public vigil service on Friday *

Larry David "Butch" Biittner was born July 27, 1946, and passed away January 2, 2022, in Pocahontas, Iowa. He was the youngest of 12 children born to Henrietta and Edward Biittner.

Larry lived on a farm west of Pocahontas until he was five. His family then moved to town where he attended Pocahontas Catholic School. By then his four older brothers: Jim, Denny, Gene, and Jack, all thinking he had great potential, had begun grooming their little left-handed brother to play ball. One of his earliest lessons in endurance training began when they would dangle him (no kids harmed) on the clothesline as a toddler and let him swing. Fortunately for him he had five older sisters to rescue him: Geraldine, JoAnn, Rita, Nancy, and Sandy. They did their part also in preparing him for the pros by spoiling him and doing what any sister would do for a little brother.

They all did an immense job as siblings in encouraging their little brother as he excelled in basketball and baseball throughout his high school and collegiate years. Larry emerged to be quite talented, but he would always humbly express he was not the only one; that his high school teammates were naturally talented athletes more so than he was. Larry believed fulfilling his childhood dream was achieved by hard work, and tenacity. As a child he worked on his baseball skills by hitting rocks with a wooden bat until it was dwindled down to a twig and throwing a ball against the side of the house until the siding was worn out.

As Larry became a teenager, he realized his talent was on the court or a baseball diamond and not in the choir singing. He was encouraged to be a part of the school choir program. Once they found out his voice was not equivalent to his athletic abilities it was requested that he mouth the words. Those of you that grew up with him may remember the day he locked classmates and nun(s) out of the church until it was mutually agreed that he no longer had to be a part of the choir. From that day forward his focus was 100% on achieving his dream to be a professional baseball player. A list of his accomplishments was recently posted by the Ft Dodge Messenger and best explains the amazing career he had as an athlete in high school, college and professional. If you would like more information regarding Larry's accomplishments or to read this article, please go to the following link: https://www.messengernews.net/sports/local-sports/2022/01/biittner-passes-away-at-75-years-od/

Post baseball life and retirement years Larry thoroughly enjoyed farming for 30 years with his brother-in-law Ron Dreith and nephew Brian Dreith. When not farming you could find him at the golf course, Ike's Bar, and fishing with his friends. The one thing he really looked forward to every year was going fishing with his buddies in Canada, occasional trips to South Dakota, golf outings, and spending time with his grandchildren and attending their sporting and school events.

Larry has two wonderful sons, Tommy, and Bobby. They were lucky kids as their childhood days was often spent at the ballpark with their dad. They also were fortunate to travel across the country with their mom and dad from one city to another and living in Washington D.C., Arlington, Tx, Montreal, Chicago, Cincinnati, Memphis, Denver, and Maracaibo, Venezuela to name a few. By the time Larry retired, they had moved 43 times. Other than sleeping in a motel dresser drawer occasionally as babies, that was about the only disadvantage to having a dad who was a professional baseball player. Larry has three grandchildren. Gunner, Calvin, and Chloe have wonderful memories of their grandfather's career having been fortunate enough to attend several Chicago Cubs Conventions and join their poppy on the field when he threw out the first pitch at a Cubs game. Gunner was lucky enough to throw out the first pitch for him for the Texas Rangers 40th anniversary.

Larry is survived by Ann Cleal Biittner, his two sons Tommy (Amy) Biittner and Bobby Biittner; his three grandchildren: Gunner, Calvin, and Chloe and his two sisters: Rita Childs and Sandy Frietzsche; Ron Dreith brother-in-law; Joan Dreith sister-in-law: plus, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Geraldine Tylski, JoAnn Revers, Nancy Conover, and his brothers Jim, Denny, Gene, Jack, William, and Ronald.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to fulfill several wishes expressed by Larry. They can be mailed to Ann Biittner, 915 3rd Ave NW, Pocahontas, IA 50574.