Evelyn Ann Butts passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Reflection Living, Hutchinson, following a long illness. She was born in Hutchinson on January 6, 1936, to Everett and Esther (Chase) Reed. The youngest of four children, Evelyn attended Hutchinson schools and graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1954.
She married Kimble Walters in 1955. They later divorced. They had five children who were Evelyn’s entire world. That world crumbled when her oldest child, Terry, died of cancer at age 16, a loss from which she never truly recovered. Evelyn attended Adela Hale Business School in the early 1980s. She had several jobs over the years, including Kress’s Department Store while she was in high school. Later, she worked as a retail associate at JC Penney, housekeeper at Mennonite Manor and the Hutchinson Hospital, and circulation manager at the Hutchinson News where she met Don Butts. Evelyn and Don married in 1982 and enjoyed many years of traveling to softball games where he was an umpire. They also enjoyed traveling around the country, and particularly enjoyed their trips to Idaho, Arizona, California, Tennessee, and Texas. She and Don ran a trophy business called Awards Plus. Don passed away in 2014.
Evelyn loved reading and doing jigsaw puzzles. She was a talented artist and enjoyed drawing as well as oil painting. Evelyn also enjoyed doing many types of crafts including crocheting. She was also a talented seamstress, and sewed many clothes for her kids and herself while they were growing up. She was always interested in learning new things, including computer software and technology. While in her 60s, she taught herself to use accounting software which she used for the trophy business. More recently, she had an iPhone and iPad and was excited to learn all the features for using them. Evelyn used a motorized wheelchair for the last 20 years of her life, but it never slowed her down. In fact, it was often joked that you had better look out when she was coming, because her chair only had one speed - fast. She was a social creature and loved talking with people. Evelyn made close friends with many of those who took care of her at Mennonite Manor and later at Reflection Living. She was a person who wore her heart on her sleeve. You never had to wonder where you stood with her. If Evelyn loved you, she did it with her whole heart and being. If she wasn’t fond of something or someone, well, let’s just say she made that clear, too. One of her favorite things was attending the Kansas State Fair every year and she took pride in saying that she had only missed one fair in her life and that was only because it was shut down during the pandemic. Evelyn loved sparkly jewelry and anything with “bling”. She enjoyed getting her nails done with bright metallic colors. On walks with her family, Evelyn often looked for butterflies and collected feathers that she would find on the ground. She felt that they were messages of love from Terry and Don. So, the next time you are out walking, look for a feather, a butterfly, or even an interesting rock in her memory. She would love that.
Evelyn is survived by: her sister, Darline Barnhart, Tucson, AZ; children, Brad Walters of Hutchinson, Lisa (Brian) Webster of Hutchinson, Kara Walters of Lawrence, Lorna (Mike) Wyer of Hutchinson, Alan (Donna) Butts of Puyallup Washington, and Elaine Boese, Marysville; grandchildren (all of Hutchinson except where noted), Angie (Sean) Jones, Becky (Josh) Flax of Eudora, Brandon (Elise) Walters, BreAnne (Patrick) Edwards, Derek Walters, Holly Caudillo, Jeremy (Heather) Caudillo, and Rickie (Jessie) Caudillo; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and dear friend of many years, Dorce Stapleton of Hutchinson.
She was preceded in death by: her husband, Don; sons, Terry Walters and Chuck Butts; son-in-law Rick Boese; brother, Don Reed; sister, Pauline Phelps; and grandsons, Aaron Walters and Steven Curtis-Boese.
Memorial service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Elliott Mortuary, with the Reverend Lennie Maxwell officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at Elliott Mortuary. The link to the view the service online will be available in Evelyn’s obituary on the Elliott Mortuary website beginning at 9:45 a.m. on the day of the service. Cremation has taken place.
Click here to view the memorial service.
Memorials are suggested to Traditions Health Hospice, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.