Norma June Butts

Norma June Butts, 94, formerly of Jewell, Kan., died Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Hilltop Lodge Nursing Home, Beloit, Kan. She was born at her rural home near Jewell on June 8, 1927, to Albert and Elsie LaRue Abram. June attended Couch School for eight years and graduated from Jewell High School in 1945. She married William Eugene Butts, who she met on a blind date, on Jan. 18, 1948, at the Jewell Christian Church where she had been a member since Dec. 6, 1936. To this union, four sons were born: Nick, Steve, Mark and Jack. She lived in the Jewell community her entire life before moving to Hilltop Lodge in Beloit.

June was a stay-at-home mother for 15 years, then worked for the REA at Mankato for 13 years and retired as the U.S.D. 279 School District clerk after 10 years.

She actively served in her church as a Sunday School nursery teacher for 23 years along with choir, deaconess and treasurer for many years as well. Organization involvement included Jewell Library Board for 9 years, co-assistant state director of Kansas Good Sam’s Camping Club for 9 years alongside husband Gene, Rebekah Lodge, Past Noble Grand Club, Friendship Circle, and YWCA.

Other hobbies involved raising house plants, crocheting, quilting and crafting. Friends and family gatherings included summer ice cream socials, celebrations during holidays, birthdays and anniversaries with sisters-brothers and extended family, and many memories with grandchildren. As a retired couple, Gene and June camped and traveled across all 50 states, enjoyed bus tours, and stayed a few winters in Arizona. One notable trip memory involved the Rose Bowl in California. She endured a stroke following an elective surgery in December 2000. Her devoted husband cared for her needs unconditionally until his age and health warranted a move for both to Hilltop Lodge in December 2015. The two were voted there as the Valentine’s king and queen on Feb. 14, 2017 (also Gene’s 91st birthday). This preceded his passing on Sept. 9, 2017.

June is survived by one brother Willis Abram of Jacksonville, Fla.; three sons – Nick Keiss (Yvonne) of Clearwater, Kan.; Steve Butts (Connie) of Jewell, Kan.; Mark Butts (Becky) of Kearney, Neb.; five grandchildren – Adam Butts of Jewell; Warren Keiss (Rachel) of Wichita; Erin Johnson (Tyler) of Newton; Renee Charles (Jimmy) of Clearwater, Kan.; Laura Walters (Kyle) of Atchison; 12 great grandchildren – Addilyn, Asher, Elias and Albert Johnson, Kathlyn, Karis and Kaiden Charles; Daniel, Lydia and Grace Keiss; Tristan and Zander Walters; and host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; sisters, Pauline Reiter and Bernice Reames; brother, Stanley Abram; and infant son, Jack.

Visitation was from 2 to 7 p.m., Monday, May 30, with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m., at Kleppinger Funeral Home, Jewell.

Her funeral was at 11 a.m., Tuesday May 31, at the Jewell Christian Church, Jewell, with Pastor Dan Daniels officiating.

Burial followed the funeral at Wallace Cemetery, rural Jewell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Jewell Christian Church, Jewell, Kan., or Solomon Valley Hospice, Beloit, Kan.

For online condolences, please visit nuttermortuary.com