Patrick Alfred Butera, 80, of North Platte, passed away at the North Platte Care Center on Friday, May 1, 2020.
Pat was born in Omaha on February 15, 1940, to Alfred and Wilhelmina (Hawes) Butera and grew up on a farm near Loup City. Following his high school graduation in 1958, Pat enlisted with the U.S. Navy and served most of his time in Korea.
Following his discharge he returned home and went on to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He earned his Bachelor's Degree then worked as a stock broker for a while before going back to school. Pat received his Master's Degree in Education and went on to a career in teaching. In 1984 he moved to North Platte where he taught business classes, Saturday School and helped with the NPHS DECA Club. After 18 years of teaching, he retired and moved to California to work on a boy's ranch. He later moved to Arkansas to help rescue dogs with his sister, Sharon, then returned to North Platte.
On October 1, 1972, Pat married Gail Jean Bauhard in Loup City and they have been together for nearly 50 years.
Pat was preceded in death by his father, Alfred Butera; mother and stepfather, Wilhelmina and Sig Skibinski; and brother, Michael Butera.
Survivors include his wife, Gail, of North Platte, and their cat, Malekah; sisters, Cheryl 'Cher' (Ed) Upton, of Oklahoma City, Sandy Wilson, of Hastings, Sharon Goff, of McRae, Arkansas, and Shelley (Paul) Freeman, of Lincoln; brothers, Dan Skibinski and Joe (Julie) Skibinski, all of Loup City; and other family.
In keeping with Pat's wishes, cremation was chosen and there will be no public services. Burial of his cremains will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery.
The memorial book may be signed online at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to Compassion International for Children. Cards and memorials may be sent to Odean Colonial Chapel, 302 S Sycamore, North Platte, NE, 69101, which is in charge of arrangements.