BLAIRSTOWN:  Leonard H. "Butch" Brecht, 66, died Monday, July 6, 2009 at his residence following an extended illness.
      A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM, Thursday, July 9, 2009 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Marengo with Father Joseph Roost as Celebrant.  Interment will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Blairstown with Graveside Military Rites conducted by M. J. Kirby American Legion Post #170 of Blairstown.  Public Visitation will also be held at the church in Marengo from 4 to 8 PM, on Wednesday,  with a Rosary /Wake Service beginning at 7:30 PM.  A Memorial Fund has been established.
        Butch was born August 29, 1942 at Cedar Rapids to Leonard W. "Newt" and Arlene (Frimml) Brecht and graduated from the Blairstown High School in 1960.  He served his nation in the US Army Reserves and was a member of M. J. Kirby American Legion Post #170 of Blairstown.
         On November 22, 1969 he married Barbara "Bobbie" Meek at Springerville, Arizona.  A life-long farmer, Butch had been active in livestock shows, had been a 4-H Leader, and owned and operated the B4 Cattle Company for the past twenty-two years. He was a Breed Supervisor at the Iowa State Fair for fifteen years and a member of numerous major cattle breed associations.  From 1950 to the present Butch has produced and exhibited numerous champions.  His family will continue the high standard of breeding Butch had always been proud of.
          He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Brecht of Blairstown; his daughter, Brandee  Brecht of Watkins; and his son, Beau Brecht, of Blairstown; his grandchildren, Tayte and Brylee Lindemier of Watkins; and his sisters, Sharon (Dick) Kelly of Burlington, KY, Renee VanKerckvoorde of Ft. Worth, TX, and Alicia (Dale) Thomsen of Mt. Vernon. 
          His grandparents; his parents, and his brother-in-law, Richard "Dick" Van Kerckvoorde preceded him in death.
          Phillips Funeral Home in Blairstown is in charge of arrangements.