Obituaries detail

Return to Listings
Nancy E. Butcher

Nancy E. Butcher, 75, of Prairie Village, KS passed away on Saturday, November 7th, 2020.  Alzheimer’s took away what would have been some of the best years of her life.  We are comforted knowing she is finally whole again. 

 

Nancy was born in Omaha, NE in 1945.  She attended Omaha North High School and received her Bachelor of Science in Education from The University of Nebraska in 1966.  She was a college beauty queen and a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority.   

 

After college, Nancy moved to Kansas City and began teaching Physical Education at Indian Hills Jr High.  As luck would have it, she met a handsome young social studies teacher who swept her off her feet, and they married 10 months later.  Shortly after, she left teaching to start a family. Nancy had a long career at the Village Presbyterian Church and later DST systems.  

 

Our mom was the most beautiful person inside and out.  She was loving, kind and generous.  She was one of those people who would do anything for anyone whether she knew you or not. Everyone was her friend.  The mom we knew and loved so dearly began to slowly disappear over the years.  This was heartbreaking, but saying our final goodbye through a cloudy window was not how we wanted this journey to end.  Especially after the passing of our father three months earlier.  A dear friend said to us, “your dad just needed some time to get settled before he came to rescue her”.  We are thankful she is finally at peace and our parents are together again in a world where Alzheimer’s doesn’t exist.

 

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents Hugh and Doris O’Donnell and her brother H. John O’Donnell.  She is survived by her three children, Kristen Butcher, David and Brandy Butcher (Owen and Parker) and Lindsey and Ian Morrison (Grant); niece Kelly (Eric ) Hugunin and nephew Hugh (Brenna) O’Donnell.  

 

Her children will host a party to celebrate both our parents’ lives at a future date when this awful year is over and the world returns to a better sense of normalcy.  

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Heart of America Chapter, or any pet adoption agency in your area.
Send Condolences

Condolences

Peggy Olsen Nov 21, 2020

High school friend ,Scottsbluff ,Nebraska

Nancy and I attended NHS together and I will always remember her zest for life, ready smile and great laugh. Your loss is great and I am so terribly sorry. I am comforted, and hope you are as well, to know she and your dad are with our Lord and know only peace, joy and complete wholeness. Nancy will be forever young in my memory and I look forward to seeing her again one day. Wishing you comfort. Sincerely, Peg Parden Olsen

Marie BaumAnn Nov 21, 2020

Childhood friend ,Sarasota ,Florida

My condolences to all your family. As I expressed when your dad/uncle/grandfather died a few months ago, Nancy and I came of age together through Minne Lusa Elementary, McMillan Junior, and North High Schools. Our grand adventure was taking the bus downtown to shop. She was a lovely, athletic, and good friend.

Pam Peffer Nov 22, 2020

Friend ,Fairway ,Kansas

My condolences to each of you. I’ve known Nancy so many years and always felt warmed by her gentle friendly spirit. I didn’t know you had also lost your father. I love your friend’s expression of him getting ready for her. God bless you and may he fold his loving arms around you at this difficult time.

Barbara Bollier Nov 22, 2020

Former student ,Mission Hills ,Kansas

It was a joy to reconnect with your parents as their state legislator after being taught by them at Indian Hills. My own father died from Alzheimers so I understand the years of loss. Your mom truly was one of the most beautiful women I knew and she was such a gift to all of us struggling middle-school girls. As she returns to wholeness now, may you celebrate the wonderful gifts she gave to so many of us over the years. Thank you for sharing her with us! And same for your dad!

Chip Page Nov 22, 2020

Student at Indian Hills ,Birmingham ,AL

I’ll never forget being a student of Larry butchers when I was in seventh grade. 1968. He met Nancy shortly there after or during that time period. I’ll never forget your mother as a beautiful phys ed teacher and Mr. Butcher was a lucky guy. They are grow both great people and had wonderful influence on my life. May Nancy and Larry rest in peace.

Jeannine Neubecker Nov 22, 2020

Friend ,Overland Park ,Kansas

Such a lovely obituary you wrote about your Mom. She’s finally at peace after suffering for several years. Your Mom and Dad are together now. I’m thinking about you kids and your families. May you all find peace knowing you were the most important people in your parents’ lives.

Kathy Watkins Nov 22, 2020

Friend ,Leawood ,Kansas

Kristen, David, Lindsay, and Family, This has been such a difficult year for many, but for you the loss has been extreme. You wrote beautiful words about your mother and dad. Yes, he was waiting for her, and now both are at peace. You all were the priority of their lives and gave them such love and devotion especially during these last difficult years. May many happy memories give you comfort. Looking forward to raising a glass in their honor. Kathy and Dick

Karin Hajinian McCrary Nov 22, 2020

Friend ,Overland Park ,Kansas

I am so sorry for your loss. Nancy and Larry were wonderful people. May you find some peace and comfort knowing they are together in paradise!

Darla Hajinian Nov 22, 2020

Friend ,Overland Park ,Kansas

Nancy was such a good friend and co-worker at Village Church. I have so many wonderful memories of all the fun times we had together. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. What a beautiful tribute you wrote! Yes, they are together now and that is the most comforting thought.

george darrington Nov 22, 2020

friend ,OVERLAND PARK ,Kansas

I worked with your mom at village for many years and always enjoyed talking with her even when she beat me badly playing racquet ball with her at the YMCA. She was always a very nice and kind lady. My sincere condolences to all of your family. Please get ahold of me when and if you but together a celebration of your moms life. Sorry to hear about your Dad also. Take care of your self's if I can help in any way please touch base with me.

judy Cooper Nov 22, 2020

friend ,Shawnee ,Kansas

Kristin, David and Lindsey, I worked with Nancy many years at Village. She was such a fun person and dedicated worker. When we both got a diagnosis of gerds we commiserated on how hard it was to give up caffeine, pop, chocolate and spicy foods! She was supportive of other workers there and we all loved her. I am so sorry for your loss of both of your parents. Take comfort knowing they are together and are both well.

MJ Walden Nov 22, 2020

friend from years ago ,Leawood ,Kansas

Kristen, we are so sad for you losing both parents in such a short time. It must be overwhelming. Your mom was such a pretty lady and you look so much like her. There must be joy in knowing your mom and dad are together again, both feeling well and strong and together. God bless you and with time we hope that you are able to experience quiet times where your memories of them are happy and cause you to smile to yourself.

Teresa Lackey Nov 23, 2020

Friend/Co-worker ,Kansas City ,Missouri

To all of Nancy's family, I had the pleasure and honor of working with Nancy at DST for years. She sat right next to me in my cubicle and we had so much fun. Nancy always had a smile on her face and she made all my days at DST brighter just to be in her presence. There was not a day that went by that Nancy did not talk about her husband or children. I am very sorry about the loss of your father as well. Your parents were a class act and I will always cherish my memories with her.

Susan N Ahart Nov 23, 2020

Former Student ,Overland Park ,Kansas

Mr. and Mrs. Butcher were both my teachers at Indian Hills. I remember Mr. Butcher being a great teacher with high expectations. I thought Mrs. Butcher was so pretty and felt she took me under her wing during the uncomfortable middle school years. I looked forward to PE in our red gym suit rompers, and it was probably because of her that I made Drill Team. My condolences to their children. They should feel proud of their parents' lasting impact on so many students.

Bridget FitzGerald Nov 24, 2020

Friend ,Kansas City ,Missouri

Kristen, Lindsey and David, I have been grieving the loss of your mom for several years now, as you have. I have thought of her so often over the past few years, and those thought often bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eyes. You know that she was one of my favorite people to work with at DST, and I had so much fun with her. I have great memories of celebrating her birthday starting at the Granfalloon and eventually ending the night at O'Dowd's with my friend Eddie Delahunt dedicating "Giving It Up for Nancy" to her, the Irishman from Baileys (who was quite taken with your mom!) bringing our drinks all night, and having some fun on the "dancefloor". I am so thankful that your mom and dad are together again, but so sorry they are not physically with you all anymore. Your mom was so proud of each of you, and you brought such joy to her life. I hope you all are comforted by your memories of your parents. Never stop retelling their stories! Love and peace to you all.

Richard C. Lumpkin Nov 24, 2020

Old Friends ,Prairie Village ,Kansas

We knew Nancy as a friendly neighbor on Briar. We knew her through the Village Church and she was always a delight to be around. Muriel and I have lost track of a lot of our friends through age and this last strange year. It is always tragic when the mind leaves before the body is ready but as you said at last she is in a place where she is whole again. I know you will miss her greatly and our prayers are with you.

Clarice Moeller Krepela Dec 10, 2020

friend ,Omaha ,Nebraska

Dear Kristen, Lindsey, David, and your families, I first met Nancy in high school, and enjoyed our friendship during those years. She was full of fun, and had a wonderful smile. Through the years we kept in touch through letters, cards, a few phone calls, and several in person visits. She was happy to share news about Larry and all of you. I surely wish that she could have made more special memories with all of you. May you find comfort in the memories you have to cherish, and may the Lord bless you with His peace in the coming days. Clarice Krepela

Laurie (Williams) Gregg Dec 22, 2020

Student ,Lincoln ,Nebraska

I was lucky enough to enjoy both of your parents as teachers in 7th grade at IHJH. They made class memorable and fun. I specifically remember your dad teaching everyone our social security numbers, because he handed out test results by calling out our SSN. We learned it fast that way! Your mom was so friendly and truly made her PE class the only one in history I ever enjoyed! I even remember babysitting you two older "kids" in the nursery at Village Presbyterian when you were toddlers. May both your parents rest in peace. They made a difference in so many lives.

Cathy Ulven Galindo Feb 16, 2025

sorority sister ,Sioux Falls ,South Dakota

I just recently ran across Nancy's obituary and I am so sorry for your loss. Nancy was a dear friend and roommate. I was at the beauty pageant when she won. We were all so proud of her.