Rudy Wayne Lovitt
December 2, 1945 ~ May 14, 2015
Rudy Wayne Lovitt, 69, of Cedar Rapids, died on Thursday, May 14, 2015, at Crestview Acres, Marion. Funeral Services: 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, by Chaplain Mary Kaufmann. Visitation: 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial at Lisbon Cemetery.
Rudy was born December 2, 1945, in Clarinda, Iowa, the son of Wayne and Bonnie (Lambery) Lovitt. He joined the US Navy in 1966. After serving in the military, Rudy went to Northeast Missouri State University to receive his Bachelor's in Education. After a year of teaching, he decided to change careers, and became an engineer for Union Pacific, retiring after 33 years. Rudy married Beverly Flickinger Butteris on April 21, 1990, at home in Cedar Rapids.
He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, enjoyed visiting friends at HyVee with Beverly, and playing with his grandchildren, giving them rides in the train engine.
Rudy is survived by his wife, Beverly; children, David Lovitt, Marv (Maureen) Butteris, Bill Butteris, Rhonda Penrod, Colleen (Steve) Williams, Alisa (Gene Dowie) Butteris, and Greg (Gina) Butteris; and his beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and step-sons, Kenneth and Chuck.
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Rudy and I go back a long ways as we lived just across the street from each other in Gravity. We both began school together in Gravity and had Mrs. Johns from kindergarten through 2nd grade and Mrs. Bush (Karen’s Mom) in 5th grade. Once our work was done, we seemed to get in some trouble from time to time – talking & joking… Rudy and I shared standing in the corner, sitting beneath the teacher’s desk, and taking our naps on the boot racks in the front entry of our school away from everyone else since we had no interest in napping at the time. But we did learn to read, cipher, and think…
We also had Mrs. King (Hugh’s Mom) in Gravity for 7th grade and Mr. King (Hugh’s Dad) as the superintendent before joining everyone in Conway for 8th grade where Mr. King (Hugh’s Dad) was the principal. We went out for all sports together – baseball, basketball, football, & track). Rudy’s Dad was our first Little League baseball coach in Gravity. Many times after supper he would hit fungoes to Rudy, my brother Bob, and me in the street between our houses. In the summer, we would do our morning chores, play ball in Angie’s Pasture until the noon whistle, re-convene the game at 1 o’clock until the supper whistle at 6 pm. and then re-convene once again in Angie’s Pasture until dark. Or, we would play team tag on bicycles which ranged over the entire town of Gravity (we thought it was quite a big town at the time).
Rudy’s shoulder never quite healed properly after it was separated in a football game. Although he wore a shoulder brace for basketball, it would sometimes go out in a game whereupon Coach Hannon would call time-out, bring Rudy over to the sidelines, put his shoulder back into place, and then the game would continue. Playing through the shoulder separation injury, Rudy garnered Honorable Mention on the Iowa Newspaper Association’s list – this was back in the days before schools were grouped by size into the various classes. Everyone was in the same pool.
Although we went separate ways after high school, we always remained joined by our experiences of growing up in Gravity and attending the same schools for K-12. Now he’s got his mind back and will be forever young with a great sense of humor…
A close friend, neighbor, and classmate,
Dick Janson
My condolences and prayers for Rudy and his family and friends. I worked at the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for 18 years and then for the Crandic until my retirement. Rudy was a quiet guy but always had a smile and kind word for me.. I enjoyed running into him at HyVee and visiting with him. I don’t think I ever saw him with a grocery cart though. He just liked walking around and visiting. I will miss running into him.
Lynn Pudil
My condolences to Rudy’s family. Though I haven’t seen Rudy since high school I will always remember him as such a sweet-dispositioned young man. He always had a smile on his face–someone you just had to like. He’s gone too young–may he rest in peace.
Joyce Keith Gietl
I had Rudy as a student and athlete in my first year of teaching at Bedford Jr. High at Conway. Good student, no problems, and good athlete. When I went to Bedford High School as Girls Basketball, Track. and Boys Track Rudy was there as a Sophomore. Rudy was one of the good Track standouts that brought Boys Track at Bedford back to being respected. If one would go back into one of the old Bedford annuals you will find a picture of a relay team he ran on that qualified for State. Look at that picture real close (censored) of Rudy????. I have other stories of Rudy as a student I can share, maybe at the next class reunion? Always was friendly, respected his teachers and coaches. Last saw Rudy at the 45th class reunion of the class of (64), knew he was struggling with his memory at that time. Now he has his memory back and his cheerful smile. Our thoughts are with his family at this time. Jerry Wetzel
Rudy was a big part of my life in high school. Not only a good friend, but briefly, boyfriend. Loved to watch him play basketball. He had a great smile and wonderful sense of humor.
I first met Rudy when we consolidated the schools in Jr. High at Conway. He was a great guy and a very good athlete. My favorite memory is when he and I had a drag race with our 57 Chevy’s on the Lake Road one night. (don’t tell my mom) His red hard top was the best looking car in town. RIP my friend.
Sorry we were unable to come to the visitation or service. Our granddaughter had an emergency and we needed to take care of the “greats” all day Tuesday. Rudy was a good man and we enjoyed visiting with both of you at the HyVee. Our prayers and sympathy are with the whole family at this time.
Dave & Mary Lou Cook