Norma June (Abram) Butts

Norma June Butts, 94, formerly of Jewell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Hilltop Lodge Nursing Home, Beloit, Kansas.  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 then graduated from Jewell High School in 1945.  She married William Eugene Butts, who she met on a blind date, on January 18, 1948 at the Jewell Christian Church where she had been a member since December 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 Mankato REA for 13 years and retired as the U.S.D. #279 School District Clerk after 10½ 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/or traveled across all 50 states, enjoyed bus tours, and spent 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 February 14, 2017 (also Gene’s 91st birthday).  This preceded his passing on September 9, 2017.

June is survived by one brother Willis Abram of Jacksonville, Florida; three sons – Nick Keiss (Yvonne) of Clearwater, Kansas; Steve Butts (Connie) of Jewell, Kansas; Mark Butts (Becky) of Kearney, Nebraska; five grandchildren – Adam Butts of Jewell, Kansas; Warren Keiss (Rachel) of Wichita, Kansas; Erin Johnson (Tyler) of Newton, Kansas; Renee Charles (Jimmy) of Clearwater, Kansas; Laura Walters (Kyle) of Atchison, Kansas; twelve great grandchildren – Addilyn, Asher, Elias and Albert Johnson, Kathlyn, Karis and Kaiden Charles; Daniel, Lydia and Grace Keiss; Tristan and Zander Walters; 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 will be Monday May 30th, 2022 from 2:00pm - 7:00pm with family receiving friends from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at Kleppinger Funeral Home, Jewell, KS.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday May 31, 2022 at 11:00am at the Jewell Christian Church, Jewell, KS with Pastor Dan Daniels officiating.

Burial will follow the Funeral at Wallace Cemetery, Rural Jewell, KS.

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

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