Allen Charles Iversen

Allen Charles "Butch" Iversen was born on Labor Day, Monday, September 5, 1949 to Emil J. and Evelyn J. (Peterson) Iversen, at the hospital in Carroll, Iowa. He was the second son, taken home to Albion, Iowa to meet his big brother, Emil Jr. Shortly after, the family moved to Paradise Township of Crawford County, Iowa to become farmers. On August 15, 1950 - 11 months later - the family was joined by John Lewis - it was then the three brothers received their early education. Allen started his formal education at Paradise Country School. Times were changing, and the three brothers transferred to Arion City School, town population 108. 4 more siblings joined the family through 1953-1958. Emily, Steven, Robert, and Susan. Times were hard, mom and dad had a farm sale and moved to Schleswig, Iowa where dad became a farmhand. In November 1958, all of the Iversen children were baptized at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Ricketts, Iowa. Allen "Butch" was going to school on one of the first big yellow school buses in Schleswig until spring of 1961. The family then made the move to Ida Grove, Iowa. They lived in the big square house North of the Ida County Fair Grounds for about five years before buying the family home on 2nd Street in Ida Grove. It was in the years of 1967-68 that Butch left high school and went to work for the city of Ida Grove. In May 1968, Butch was drafted to the United States Army 198th infantry. He received his basic training in Fort Lewis, Washington. He flew to Vietnam on his 20th birthday. He served his country as a mortar gunner. His year on tour was just about over with only 10 days remaining when he was tragically wounded on August 21, 1970. Butch was flown home on his 21st birthday to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Colorado. He was treated in the hospital for 2 years before his final discharge. Coming home, he started a job as an owner-operator of the A&J 66 Station with his Uncle John Iversen in Ida Grove. During his busy days he found time to date and marry Jodean Rupert, the mother of his three children, Katie, Jason, and Joseph. Butch and Jodean eventually parted ways, and for a number of years, Butch would come home and spend the summers in Ida Grove with his children. In 1982 he decided to follow his older brother Emil jr to Grenada, California where his children continued to visit every summer. As the kids got older, the two boys moved to California to be with their Dad. Butch volunteered his time helping at L&M Rentals for Leo and Marcia Miller. He helped his sons, as well as many high school boys, learn the basics of life, and he was a friend and father-figure to many. He was entrusted with a key at the Black Bear Diner as the official coffee maker and was always there waiting to get his 1st of many cups of coffee through years. In his later years, Butch became a staple of 3 J's and was often referred to as the "Mayor" of Grenada. He could be found at home in Grenada, keeping an eye on the neighborhood. He had a special bond with his neighbor, Gary, which included greeting each other every morning with a simple wave out the window. It's easy to say they had each other's schedule down to a "T." Butch enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, and there will always be a special place in his heart as well as theirs for each other. Butch was a powerful role model to his family; his positive attitude and orneriness will be greatly missed. Nobody was a stranger to Butch. He could be found chatting, flirting, and teasing with many. During his short but courageous battle with cancer he was surrounded by his children, loved ones, his "#5" brother, Steve, and his niece "Stephie." He completed his earthly journey February 7. Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Evelyn, brother Robert, sister Susan, brother-in-law Dick Hoagland, sister-in-law Vicki Iversen, son-in-law Terry DeBuhr, and a nephew Chad Iversen. Butch is survived by his children, Katie (Mark) Jackson, Jason (Kim) Iversen, and Joseph (Suzanne) Iversen; grandchildren: Cassandra, Nathaniel, Kirsten of Oklahoma, Ashley, Ethan, Wes, Luke, Mckenzie of California; great grandchildren Aliyah, Valerie, Aiden, Olivia (on the way), of Oklahoma; brothers Emil (Jimi) of Grenada, California, John (Karen) of Little Sioux, Iowa, Steven of Ida Grove, Iowa; sister, Emily Jo Hoagland of Ida Grove, Iowa many nieces, nephews, and extended cousins and friends. A memorial service with military honors will be held for Butch on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Grenada Berean Church, 512 6th Street, Grenada. Girdner Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Allen Charles Iversen

September 5, 1949 - February 7, 2022