BUTLER, Elizabeth Laura

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ >>> Published on Saturday, October 22, 2016 <<< Elizabeth Laura (Schimelpfenig) Butler, 99, died peacefully in her sleep Oct. 17, 2016 in Albuquerque, N.M. She was born Jan. 11, 1917 in Montello, Wisconsin, where she grew up on a farm, the youngest of three girls. She graduated from Montello High School in 1933 and from the business college in Fond du Lac, Wis. in 1936. She met her future husband, Gordon, in Washington, D.C. They married in the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in October 1940. She was a wonderful wife and mother of two children, Barbara and Mark. Gordon’s retirement heralded a move to Lake Havasu City, in 1974 where they enjoyed the summerlike winters and travelling in their motor home during the hot summer months. They made lots of new friends as they travelled across North America. Elizabeth was a “people” person and had an excellent memory for names and faces. She served as Gordon’s memory for many years. After Gordon’s death in 2000, Beth remained in Havasu until an accident in 2002 precipitated a move to Austin, Texas where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law for a year. Then in 2003 she moved to Albuquerque, N.M. and lived the next 13 years with her son and daughter-in-law in their home. Elizabeth will be remembered as a cheerful, smiling person, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her daughter Barbara (John) Washecka of Austin, son Mark (Linda) Butler of Albuquerque, N.M., granddaughter Wendy (Jason) Dufoe, their son Hunter of Merrimack, N.H., grandson Brett Washecka of Laredo, Texas, and grandson Timothy (Kristi Manno) Washecka, their two daughters Samantha and Elizabeth of Round Rock, Texas. A visitation is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 26 at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home in Lake Havasu City. Interment will be at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens in Lake Havasu City. Arrangements were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory. Thoughts and condolences may be sent to Elizabeth’s family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.