Birth date: Dec 21, 1935 Death date: Feb 4, 2021
Ruby Ione (Kent) Butler, age 85, passed away Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Brookdale – State Line, Leawood, Kansas, with her sons by her side, after a long battle with dementia. Ione was born December 21, 1935 in rural Mindenmines Read Obituary
How can I possibly put into words my deepest love and respect for this godly lady who for 85 years I was privileged to call “Mother”? It’s impossible.
It was not until later in my life, after I became a Christian, did I truly understand how much mother loved me; a love that was unconditional, just as God loves all of His precious children.
Mother exemplified the words love, sacrifice, beauty, generosity, kindness, longsuffering, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. Most of these attributes are found in Galatians 5:22 describing the fruit of the Spirit. I would also add tireless...Mom worked so very hard all of her life, but loved keeping busy and everything she did, she did with excellence. She was so creative and lived out her talents especially in hairdressing and floral arranging. Mom was a phenomenal cook, baker and seamstress. She loved spending time out of doors; working in the garden, caring for her yard and flowers and relaxing on her deck soaking up the sun.
I so appreciate the fact that mother instilled these qualities and Christian values in my life and molded me into the man I am today. She is so beautiful in my eyes.
Though at times it was a burden, I consider it an honor that over the past few years I was able to serve and care for mother and give back just a portion of the love she had for me. I am so thankful to God that Troy and I were able to be with her, even to the end.
Though I will miss you terribly and some of the purpose of my life has shifted as a result of your passing, I purpose to carry on your legacy...striving to emulate and perfect those godly qualities you have instilled in me and continuing to make you proud of your son.
I love you from the depth of my soul and look forward to once again being reunited with you in the presence of Jesus. Thank you, mom, for being such a wonderful mother and friend. Well done, good and faithful servant. Well done!!! I love you forever. Amen.
Your loving son,
Karl
I remember the first time I was preparing to meet you. I was very nervous and I told Troy so, especially because my English was very limited at the time. Troy said that everything would be okay and that I didn't need to worry about what to say. Boy... was he right?! I didn't have to worry about what to say, there were not many chances to say anything. You were a talker. Ha! But you were very warm and the friendliest person I had ever met.
Mom Ione, you will be missed. We had so many great times together, playing games, eating your great meals, laughing over silly things, crying over difficult moments, celebrating special holidays, and most of all loving each other.
You were a wonderful family member, and at all times showed your love and always worried about all of your siblings, your boys, your grandaugther and everyone else. You were always kind and demonstrated your love through letters, cards, phone calls, and gifts, never forgetting any special occasion. You never wavered in your love for all of us.
I will always see pieces of you reflected in your sons. You did good with your boys! All your sacrifices and hard work to provide for them, putting them through school, always being there for them was really appreciated and it shows in how they are as adults.
You had a self-deprecating sense of humor, very witty, and we shared so many funny moments with you. I remember one day when we were playing Pictionary, and with all of your artistic talent, I have to say, drawing wasn't your strongest suit. Troy was trying to guess the picture you drew, it was very puzzling. We thought it was an R-rated drawing. When you realized what it looked like, you couldn't contain yourself and we laughed and cried for a long time and tried to catch our breaths.
We will always remember you, especially when we go to the farm, drive by your old house, see a garden, get a cold front and snow on the ground and remember how you hated it, watch a Chiefs game (run it back!)... you would have been happy to see them playing in the Superbowl again. However, you wouldn't have been happy to see them lose!!! And boy, you wouldn't like the weather today!!! I will always remember you when I see a pretty flower arrangement, go to Hobby Lobby, eat a good meal and a good desert; or see a dreadful sycamore tree.
I will always remember our trip to Brazil and our adventures there. Your extended family in Brazil will always remember you with endearing love. You were a trooper to endure all the experiences, and the wild, loud and crazy Brazilians, with such grace and with a smile on your face. What you won't do for love aye?! :)
I remember that every time we came to visit you in Kansas City and left you behind as we headed back to Georgia, all of us had tears in our eyes. You stood by the door waving good bye, with tears rolling down your cheeks. As we turned on Blue Ridge Boulevard, we could still see you waving good bye in our side mirrors. This time we are the ones staying behind with tears in our eyes, already feeling your absence as you go on to a better place, reuniting with your loved ones.
Dorothy, Bud, Maxine, Geyne, Delbert, Inez and all of your other family members and friends are having a grand reunion with you. And they should brace themselves, you have a lot to catch them up on!!!
Mom Ione, we will miss you. You will leave a void that will never be filled. We pray that time will help us fill this void with our memories of you and our love for you!!!
We pray that one day our memories of your difficult last weeks will fade and the great moments we had together will prevail. We love you and we will miss you something fierce!!! Now, may you rest in peace and without any pain!!!
You did as Karl asked you to. He said: "Mom, if you see the Jesus train coming, just hop on in!!!" And you did!!! We will see you on the other side, when we embark on that train also.
We will love you forever;
Your daughter-in-law,
Christiane
Thank You Mom
By Troy Butler, February 8, 2021
Mom,
Thank for bringing me into this world and teaching me how to live in it… how to treat people right, do good, and work hard.
Thank you for learning so well those skills taught to you by your Mother, and older Sister Maxine, that made you such a good Mother and Homemaker.
Thank you for all the times you kissed my “boo boos”, bandaged my cuts and scrapes, and held my hand when I was sick.
Thank you for all the funny stories you told us of your life before we knew you, and all those funny things that you said, without even trying, that made us laugh, sometimes until our stomachs hurt.
Thank you for all the clothes you sewed, the haircuts you gave, and the things you made with those crafty hands and that creative mind of yours that provided me with the practical things I needed to live.
Thank you for all the good foods you cooked and the amazing desserts you baked that nourished me, gave me pleasure, and created my love for food (which, as you can see, is evident to this day).
Thank you for all the gifts you gave, the cards you sent, and the letters you wrote to show me your love and support.
Thank you for all the games you attended, concerts you went to, and ceremonies you sat through to show me your support for my endeavors and your pride in what I achieved.
Thank you for all those hours you spent on the phone with me (and there were many!) to share your news, give me advice, and help me feel like we weren’t so many miles apart.
Thank you for all the hard work you put in and the sacrifices you made to provide me a good education and allow me to pursue my chosen profession.
[A special thank you to all the nurses, nurse’s aides, nurse practitioners, and med techs who took care of Mom and helped her do the things these past few years that she could no longer do for herself; and in the end, kept her comfortable and allowed her to pass from this life with dignity and grace.]
So Mom, thank you for fulfilling your God given role here so well. Now enjoy the eternal sunshine that you loved so much, stroll in heaven’s garden and stop to smell the roses that you so often didn’t take the time to do in this life, and know that we love you and will miss you dearly.
Thank you Mom.
Tribute to Grandma Butler
My Grandma was an incredible woman of strength and fortitude, and I admired her tremendously. Although I was only able to see her once or twice a year since I live in Georgia, I always looked forward to every moment I got to spend with her. She always had a warm meal and a smile ready for us when we got to her house. Some of my favorite memories with her were going down to the family farm and eating all of her delicious pies and cobblers, going to Jack Stack BBQ, and riding horse drawn carriages in the snow on the Plaza while enjoying the lights at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Another one of my favorite things about Grandma was her incredible sense of humor. It didn’t matter what the situation was, she always had a funny comment to add to make everyone laugh. I admired Grandma for the hard work ethic and drive she put into everything she did. She did everything she set her mind to with her whole heart and carried it out to perfection. She raised two incredible sons, my Dad and my Uncle Karl, largely on her own, while simultaneously maintaining a perfect home, garden, homecooked meals, and working as a master beautician. I admired her strength and dedication to get through many very difficult times. I look forward to seeing her again in Heaven, and know she is up there enjoying her new body and making everyone smile. Grandma will be so missed, and will always be in my heart.
Memories of Ione, from her niece, Lana:
Some of my earliest memories include Aunt Ione. I was 4 years old, when she married James, at my Grandparents' house on the farm. I remember them taking their vows, facing the fireplace and standing on a rug covering the old furnace grate. It was December and my Grandfather built a hot fire in the coal furnace below, almost too hot for that rug. Fourteen years later I married my husband, Rick, at Ione and James' home in Kansas City in front of their fireplace.
As a small child, I frequently had overnight visits with Aunt Ione. She and James started their marriage in an old two-story farmhouse in rural Oronogo, which I loved exploring. They later moved to Webb City, where my visits continued. Sometimes Aunt Inez would also be there, and we would walk to the Webb City swimming pool. I always had fun staying with Ione; she would fix my hair and let me help around the house. I think she was practicing with me, before having her own children. One of the last overnight visits I recall, I was 9 years old and her oldest son, Troy, was about to arrive. I slept with her that night, and she told me to be very still, so that I wouldn't bump her. I did my best to oblige! Several years later, Ione, James and their two sons moved to Kansas City, where I lived with my parents. My mother, Maxine, was Ione's oldest living sister. Our families spent a lot of weekends together. Another sister, Geyne, also lived in Kansas City.
Ione was very talented! She was a great cook, never afraid to try new recipes to bring to family dinners. She baked beautiful desserts! She was excellent at doing craft projects, two of which are still hanging on my walls. After working at Hobby Lobby for years, she learned to make beautiful floral arrangements, wreaths and bows.
Aunt Ione had a good sense of humor and told funny stories. In high school she had a date to the county fair. Getting hungry, she mentioned to her date how good the popcorn smelled; his reply was "Let's get a little closer, where we can smell it better!" As a young bride, she decided to make Corned Beef and Cabbage for supper. Not knowing what Corned Beef was, she prepared a delicious meal of Corn, and Beef, and Cabbage. Later laughing about it, when she learned the difference!
We used to have lots of picnics and weiner roasts at my grandparents' farm. One Halloween night, we all gathered in the orchard with a nice campfire, lots of food and hot cider. Everyone was there, except Ione's family. It was dark and some were getting worried about where they were. All of a sudden, out of the darkness appeared a witch and her companions, all in costume. Everyone had a good laugh; Ione had made the evening even more fun.
We will miss Aunt Ione, the third member of our family we've lost in the past 15 months. She was able to attend Delbert and Inez's funerals in 2019, which was very hard on her. Now, we know that she's in heaven with other family members, the four sister together again, and they're having a great reunion! They'll all be talking at once! We love you, Ione!!
Lana & Rick
Sent from my iPad
