Gregory Button — Rochester

The world is a little sadder place with the passing of Gregory Lee Button, 56, of Rochester. Greg peacefully passed away at the Red Wing Health Center, embraced in the love of family and friends on Sunday, Dec. 6, following his brave battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Greg was born in Rochester on Sept. 15, 1959, to James and Shirley (Christensen) Button. He graduated from Mayo High School in 1978 and worked for Quality Distributing for 20 years before working at LaCrosse Premium Water prior to his diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Greg married the love of his life, Barb (Ick) on Aug. 29, 1981. Barb is a current employee at Rochester Public Utilities. Together, they had a son, Brandon, on Oct. 29, 1985. Brandon has worked as a teacher for the last six years and currently is attending the Harvard Graduate School of Education, studying school leadership.

Greg will be most remembered as an exuberant, cheerful individual. Always quick to laugh, he was continually there for any friend or relative in need. He loved to hunt, fish and play softball, and enjoyed his friends in card club; he had a slight penchant for "scratchies" and pull tabs. As a dedicated Vikings fan, he enjoyed watching games with friends and family. His love for others reflected traditional values of respect, courtesy and dignity.

Always the outdoorsman, he could be found working in the yard, nurturing a beautiful lawn and numerous flower gardens which gave him great pleasure. Greg enjoyed social gatherings and was most comfortable mingling with others.

As the youngest of three active brothers, Greg always basked in the limelight as being the experimental guinea pig of his older brothers' "mischievous endeavors."

Greg is survived by his wife, Barb, and son, Brandon. He is also survived by two sisters, Shelley (Steve) Dostal of Casa Grande, Ariz., Lisa Button (Frank Lebeck) of Rochester; two brothers, Jay (Brenda) Dover and Brad (Jenny) of Rochester; his sister-in-law, Ana (Dean) Teiwaz of Minneapolis and brother-in-law, Larry Ick of Rochester. His nieces and nephews, Mandy, Katie, Jared, Leah, Marissa, Anna, Lainey, Miranda, Nicole, Zach and Tyler, along with many great-nieces and great-nephews, will affectionately remember him.

Greg's friends and family would also like to acknowledge Dr. Ron Petersen, M.D., PH.D., with Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Center as well as the caring staff at Home-In-Stead and Red Wing Health Center.

The visitation will be Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Rochester Chapel, continuing with a memorial service at 7 p.m.. The Rev. Don Rypstra will officiate, and the Rochester Eagles also will conduct ceremonies. Burial will follow on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Oakwood Cemetery, after which a celebration of Gregory's life will be held at Boomer's in Rochester beginning at 1 p.m.

Online tributes are being welcomed and may be written at mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.