Evelyn Louise Buttz, 89, of Russell went to be with her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, June 20, 2017.

Evelyn was born to Kenneth and Opal (Dodds) LaFavre on February 2, 1928 on the family farm south of Russell, Iowa. She attended Russell School and graduated valedictorian in 1946. On August 30, 1946, Evelyn was united in marriage to Guy L. Buttz after they met at a box social. To this union were born two children: Linda and Doyle.

After a honeymoon in North Dakota digging potatoes, Guy and Evelyn returned to southern Iowa to farm where Evelyn tended to the home and family. Evelyn was a tremendous help on the farm where at one time she had over 900 laying hens. In 1963, Guy and Evelyn moved to Ames to start a new venture, a mobile home park. This venture resulted with four mobile home parks in the cities of Ames and Huxley.

In 1975, Guy and Evelyn retired from the mobile home venture and settled back in southern Iowa to return to farming. In the years following, they enjoyed many trips with family and friends. These trips included places like Canada, Mexico, and Alaska.  

Evelyn was a faithful member of the New Providence Baptist Church in Confidence. She lived a life of service to others. She helped in any way possible and could be found teaching Sunday School, sending church bulletins, helping with Bible School activities and working to raise money for missionaries across the globe. She is affectionately known as the Missionary Lady for many children who attended Bible School at New Providence Baptist Church over the years.

Evelyn was known for her soft, gentle nature and yet was a tower of strength many who knew her well. Evelyn cared deeply for her friends and family. She would let them know they were in her thoughts and prayers and provide needed encouragement through cards and letters that always seemed to arrive in the mail at just the right time. She maintained lifelong friendships with those in the close knit “birthday bunch” group who met monthly for fellowship and to celebrate milestones.

Evelyn kept busy at her sewing machine. Whether working on a quilt or trying to keep farm clothing patched for Guy and the grandkids it always seemed that something was torn and in need of repair. In the kitchen, Evelyn shined. She could be found either making the world’s best fried chicken, baking the grandchildren’s favorite chocolate and ginger cookies or making one of her famous butterscotch pies which regularly earned top dollar at the church auction.

She spent all the time she could with her grandkids and then with her great grandkids showing them her love for them and her family. Evelyn enjoyed helping the younger generations learn how to make her recipes, preserving foods in the canner, making grape jelly and preparing homemade apple sauce. In her later years, she often referred to herself as a “tough old bird” and enjoyed watching her cats and birds through the big picture window from the comfort of her rocking chair.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Guy, her parents, Kenneth and Opal LaFavre, and son-in-law Don Johnson. Left to cherish memories of her include her daughter Linda Johnson of Russell, son Doyle Buttz of Russell, one sister, Alice Glassinger of Chariton, sister-in-laws, Velma Petty of Newton, Vera Peterson of Chariton, Donna (Tom) Beal of Curlew, Washington, and Louise Buttz of Conroe, TX, along with six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

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