BUTLER, Elsie Margaret

Baker City, 1927-2012 Elsie Margaret Butler, 85, of Baker City, died Sept. 19, 2012, at her home after a long battle with cancer. Her memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall, 975 S. Bridge St. A graveside service will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday at Mount Hope Cemetery. Elder Ed Haugland will conduct both services. Visitations will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St. Elsie was born on Sept. 3, 1927, at Baker City 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 they later divorced. She met Norman Butler at New Plymouth, Idaho, and they were married in April 1950. Soon afterward they moved to the family ranch where they ranched for 42 years until Norman’s death 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. “Elsie was a loving person and will be missed by all who knew her,” family members said. 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; stepson, Larry Butler of Idaho; six grandchildren, Julie Matoza, Ryan Baxter, Justin Butler, Emery Pierce, Eric Pierce and Scott Newton; seven great-grandchildren; and other family members. Baker City Herald 26 Sep 2012