Craig Dean Butterfield

Craig Dean Butterfield (Butter) passed away on March 8th, at the age of 84. He was born August 30th, 1940 in Madison, WI to Marion and Clyde Butterfield. He was known as a miracle baby as it was believed his mom couldn’t have children. Butter grew up on the east side of Madison, attending Marquette elementary school. During his teenage years, his family moved to Leesburg, Florida where he spent three years working at his father’s root beer stand, going to school, and playing baseball.

Upon returning to Madison, he graduated from East high school. Butter would then enlist with the United States Naval Academy where he was an air traffic controller aboard the USS Randolph II. The stories he told were always fascinating, including one where his ship was the primary rescue ship for Astronaut John Glenn after the first American orbital voyage in space.

After the Navy, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin. While he wouldn’t go on to earn a degree, he did meet the love of his life, Carla DiMartino. They courted for many years before eventually tying the knot on October 5th, 1968. They honeymooned in the Smoky Mountains which would be visited over and over in the years to come, much to mom’s dismay who wanted to see the rest of the world. While Butter and Carla were polar opposites, for some reason it worked. She would often say, “Oh you know your dad, he just makes me laugh”.

Butter was a beloved father to Chad Clyde, born in 1974, and Carri-Jo, born in 1978. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his kids, including attending every sporting and school event and even sewing all of Carri’s brownie patches on her sash.

Butter was a builder by trade, known for his craftsmanship and attention to detail. Later in his life he would become an umpire for girls fast pitch softball. He took such pride in this and absolutely loved when the season would start. Some of the best times of his life were being behind the plate and talking to anyone who would listen about games.

Butter loved sports, traveling (Smokey’s, Door Co, Costa Rica, out west, national and state parks), umpiring, trains, planes, the Fireside, McRib’s and people who were straight with him. He was a man of integrity, who often spoke his mind, and was a no BS kind of guy. He often spoke of coming from a time where a handshake meant something and that was how he lived his life.

Butter is survived by his love, Carla-Jo, daughter Carri-Jo, son-in-law, Jason, and grandsons, Braeden, Joe, and Jaxson. He was preceded in death by his beloved Clyde and Marion Butterield, and his son, Chad.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to the Dane County Humane Society. Dad was a lover of animals, especially dogs. Our family often joked that he was really great with animals, kids, and the elderly. It was the in between ages that he often struggled to connect with.

A friend recently reminded me of a time my dad told him that people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. I am beyond blessed to have known and loved him for my life and beyond.

Dad, you are so loved and missed. I know you are at the property, sitting at the top of the hill on your John Deere, whistling away, watching trains, and enjoying an endless supply of unsweetened iced tea with MANY lemons.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 PM on Tuesday March 18, 2025 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3325 E. Washington Ave. Madison, WI. 53704. A private burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3325 E. Washington Ave.

Madison (608) 249-6666

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com