September 1, 2022

Linn County News

Published September 7, 2022

Ellen Mae Butts, age 85, of Kansas City, Mo., passed away Friday, Aug. 26, 2022, at her home at McCrite Plaza at Briarcliff surrounded by family. 

She was born in Pleasanton, Kan., on Nov. 15, 1936 to Sam and Madge (Smith) Hayes. Ellen met her late husband, Richard, in high school and they married soon after on Sept. 25, 1954. In the early parts of their marriage, Ellen and Richard moved many places, including Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Minneapolis before settling in Kansas City, Mo.

In addition to being a homemaker, she was a clerk and librarian at Gracemor Elementary School. She was later a secretary for Automatic Sprinkler Company, where her husband was a salesman. Later in life, she and Richard retired to Cameron, Mo., where they built a new home and started their farm life. Ellen was a member of Harmony Vineyard Church, where she was baptized. Ellen had many interests: loving her grandchildren, fishing, and volunteering to help anyone in need. Ellen loved playing bingo and the excitement of chance found at casinos. In more recent years, she supported the endeavors of her children and grandchildren. Ellen habitually enjoyed watching the Price is Right and movies on the Hallmark Channel. She also loved her dogs.  Ellen was a feisty woman not afraid to share what she thought. Ever a fighter, she beat cancer twice in her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her sister Dorothy Troth; brother Jack Hayes, and granddaughter Heather Thompson. She is survived by her son Jerrald Butts and wife Debbie; daughter Kathy James and husband Tom; and sister Margie Stroud. Ellen had five grandchildren; Laura, Phaedra, Kristina, Jerr, and Mackenzee; and six great-grandchildren; Ella, Dane, Anya, Caedmon, Aaron, and Ian. 

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel with burial in the Brooklyn Cemetery, La Cygne, Kan. Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to service time at the Pleasanton Chapel. 

Contributions are suggested to Ascend Hospice, 783 NE Anderson Land, Lee Summit, MO 64064.

Online condolences can be left  www.schneiderfunerals.com.