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Shirley Butts
SHIRLEY BUTTS
Vinton
Shirley Jean Butts passed away Sept. 13, 2015, at the Belle Plaine Nursing & Rehab Center following a courageous battle with cancer.
Shirley was born April 8, 1943, in Reeves, Mo., to J.C. and Alta (Vaughn) Pritchett. Shirley's early years were spent helping to care for her three younger siblings and helping the family by working in the cotton fields on farms in the area. The family followed work into Iowa. Shirley was a graduate of Vinton High School in 1961. She united in marriage to Ronald Tharp of Vinton. To this union, two children were born, Clifford and Dawana. The couple later divorced.
Shirley worked at Rockwell Collins and Perfex. She welded by day at Perfex and at night waitressed tables to help support her family. The bulk of her working life was spent at Benco Manufacturing in Belle Plaine. In the 25 years employed there, she touched many lives and made many friends. To Shirley, her co-workers were family as well.
On Sept. 11, 1983, she united in marriage to Donald Butts of Vinton, at the Davis Motorcycle Rally in New Hampton, Iowa. Several couples have been married there in the 37 years of the rally, but they were the very first. During her marriage with Don, she enjoyed motorcycling, camping and traveling with friends. She also enjoyed bowling and traveling to Buffalo, N.Y., for a tournament. Perhaps her greatest enjoyments in life came from spending time with her grandchildren and family.
Shirley is survived by two sisters, Barb (Don) Andrews of Marion and Bonnie Pritchett of Cedar Rapids; two children, Cliff (Sonya) of Garrison and Dawana (Rick) Trasak of Vinton; and a stepson, Jeff Butts of Wichita, Kan. She also is survived by eight grandchildren, Cory, Cody, Jennifer, Dillon, Renee, Kelli, Jason and Chelsee; and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Ray; her parents; husband, Donald Butts; and a stepson, Brian Butts.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. A celebration of life will be held a later date.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.iowacremation.com under Obituaries.
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