Graduated from Ava High School God reached down and gently lifted Beth Lauraine Butcher, 51, up to Heaven on June 25, 2007.
She was born Oct. 1, 1955, in Lincoln, Kan., the daughter of the late Armin and Ruth Sauerteig Bolte. She graduated from Ava High School in May 1973, and earned her bachelor’s degree in education at the School of the Ozarks in Branson.
On June 17, 1978, she was united in marriage at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Marshfield to Stephen C. Butcher Sr. To this union two children were born. Prior to the birth of her children, Beth began working for the Missouri State Highway Department. In 1987, she was able to fulfill her love of teaching when she began working for Sikeston Public Schools in Sikeston, Mo. as a middle school, and later on, a junior high art instructor. She was a member of the educational professional sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma, and earned the privilege as the SACC’s 2005 Teacher of the Year.
In May 2000, Beth was diagnosed with breast cancer. For seven years, she valiantly fought this disease with her strong Christian faith and incredible positive attitude. Beth had a great love for life, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Most of all, Beth was a beautiful mother, wife and friend. In passing, she leaves us all with wonderful memories.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, James Bolte.
She is survived by her husband, Stephen Butcher Sr. and son, Stephen Butcher Jr., both of Sikeston; a daughter and son-in-law, Aimee Kimball and husband, Eric, of Jacksonville, Fla.; parents-in-law, Curtis and Martha Butcher of Sikeston; a sister and brother-in-law, Barbara Holmes and husband, Larry, of Seymour; a sister-in-law, Mary Bolte of Ava; and by seven special nieces and nephews.
Visitation services were held from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday June 27 at the Blanchard Funeral Chapel in Sikeston. The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. today (Thursday) at Concordia Lutheran Church.
Burial will follow on Friday June 29 at 10:30 at the Turkey Creek Cemetery near Ava.
The family asks that donations in Beth’s honor be sent to the American Cancer Society.
