BUTLER, Elsie Margaret

Elsie Margaret Butler of Baker City, Ore., died at age 85 in her home Sept. 19, 2012, after a long battle with cancer. Memorial services were held Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s Witnesses, 975 S. Bridge St. Graveside services were Saturday, Sept. 29, 3 p.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Elder Ed Haugland will conduct both services. Visitation was held Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 at Coles Tribute Center from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Elsie was born Sept. 3, 192, in Baker City, Ore., to Patrick and Dorothy Wicks. She lived on the family ranch most of her life. She rode a horse to the Pocahontas School in grade school. She married Dennis Bennett and later divorced. She met Norman Butler in New Plymouth, Idaho and they got married in April 1950. Soon afterward they moved to the family ranch and ranched for 42 years until Norman died in 1992. They raised two children, Linda and James. Elsie was well known for her excellent cooking. She loved to cook big meals for the hired men. They never had to bring a sack lunch. She made delicious pies, and some of the men said, “We just like working here for Elsie’s cooking!” She also canned hundreds of jars of food from her garden every year. She enjoyed many outdoor activities, including gardening, ocean fishing for salmon, and going into the mountains. She loved the ranch as it provided the perfect place for her to raise her dogs and cats. In 1993 she became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She loved reading the Bible and attending religious assemblies in different cities. She liked going to breakfast with her close friends, Don Germond and Isabelle Dunn. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Ronald Newton of La Grande; son and daughter-in-law, James and Rebecca Butler of Baker City, and step son, Larry Butler of Idaho. She had six grandchildren, Julie Matoza, Ryan Baxter, Justin Butler, Emery Pierce, Eric Pierce and Scott Newton, and seven great-grandchildren, plus other family members. She was preceded in death by her father, Patrick Wicks, mother Dorothy Harned, step-father Robert Harned, brother Warren Jordan, and her husband, Norman Butler. Elsie was a loving person and will be missed by all who knew her. Those wishing to make memorial contributions in Mrs. Butler’s name may direct them to the American Cancer Society or Kingdom Hall Jehovah’s Witnesses, this may be done through the Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St. Baker City, OR 97814. The Record-Courier 4 October 2012