It is with great sadness that the family of Jean Butler (nee Landells) wishes to announce her peaceful passing while surrounded by family in her home on Friday, November 20, 2020.
Jean was born on July 9, 1924 to Wendell and Flora Landells in Islay, Alberta. She was the middle child of seven.
Along with her siblings, she attended Bridstow School. Growing up on the farm, Jean loved rural life and often spent time with her dad as he trained and worked with his Percheron draft horse stock. Jean loved to ride and had a favorite saddlehorse named Shamrock, which she helped her dad break.
On November 26, 1947, at Holy Name Parish in Vermilion, Jean married a local farm boy, Henry (Harry) Joseph Butler, who took over his family farm along the river north east of Vermilion.
As their children, Gloria, Lyle and Gwen, reached school age, they relocated to the Allendale District. Here they joined in community events such as ball tournaments, skating parties, card parties, Christmas parties and potlucks at the community halls.
Jean loved to sew and was soon sewing for neighbours as well as her own family. Her artistic talents also included writing poetry, painting, drawing, needle point, knitting, crocheting, and making diamond willow lamp stands. Jean loved gardening and berry picking made necessary by a growing family. Her pantry was always full of homemade soups, jams, pickles and jellies.
Arriving home on the bus, her children could smell the aroma of fresh baked buns, pies or pastries which sent them dashing to the kitchen. Jean had every range cow on the farm named, including a favourite milk cow, Shiny, who would come to the house when she needed to be milked. Turkeys on the other hand, were not Jean's favourite. With her family grown, Jean began working in Vermilion, first at Robinson's Store and later in the butcher shop at the Co-op. Her love of being with people made these years truly enjoyable for Jean. She loved the camaraderie and playful bantering each workplace offered.
It also marked the beginning of a succession of new vehicles, driving being one of her true passions. In their retirement years, Jean and Harry travelled much of Western Canada which often included many of the fairs and rodeos as Harry loved to play horseshoes. During this time, Jean also frequented the Farmers Markets where she sold many sewing and knitting crafts as well as baking.
Grandma Jean and Grandpa loved spending time with their grandson, Lee who lived close. After the loss of her husband, Harry, on November 7, 1999, Jean moved to Rimbey to be closer to the mountains and her daughter, Gwen, and her family. She has enjoyed many family gatherings with her own children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
GiGi's house was where the grandchildren enjoyed buns and chocolate cake while the great grandchildren could always count on a cookie! Jean also enjoyed getting to know many good folks in Rimbey as she frequented the local Farmers Market, dances, courses, exercises, walking trail, floor curling and other events at the Seniors Drop-in Center.
Jean was an avid reader and often exchanged books, jokes and stories with friends. Jean was a very compassionate intuitive person who was an attentive listener. She understood people and cared about them deeply. Her curious nature kept her learning new things, and her witty sense of humour was with her to the end. Jean, Mom, Grandma Jean, Gigi will be sorely missed.
Jean is survived by her sisters Mildred Umbarger from Surrey B.C. and Nellie Pettit, her loving children, Sr. Gloria Butler from Peru, Lyle (Lynn Butler) from Vermilion and Gwen (Olsen) from Rimbey, grandchildren Lee Butler, Rebecca Olsen, Megan (Brad Reis) and Einar (Jocelyn Olsen), great grandchildren Lilly, Dax, Mathias, Everitt, Hazell, and Thorsten as well as several nieces, nephews, great nephews and a great niece.
Jean is predeceased by her loving husband, Henry (Harry) Joseph Butler, parents Wendell and Flora Landells, brothers Jack and George, and sisters Alice (Cambridge) and Edith (Lees).
Due to Covid restrictions, we will be waiting until summer of 2021 for the family to have a celebration of Jean's life and interment of ashes at the Islay Community Cemetery.
Special thanks to the hospital staff at Rimbey Hospital and the Home Care Aids and staff from FCSS who were exceptionally supportive these past months.
Memorial donations in Jean's Honour can be made directly to the Rimbey Hospital, 5228 - 50 Ave. Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0 or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be made by visiting www.wilsonfuneralchapel.ca
Wilsons Funeral Chapel & Crematorium