Marijo Butler, 88, passed away Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center surrounded by family. Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 30, 2023, with a rosary at 3 p.m. at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines. Funeral mass will be held 10 a.m. Monday, July 31, 2023, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in West Des Moines, Iowa with burial at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
Marijo was born June 16, 1935, in Sioux City, Iowa to Vincent and Frances “Polly” Calhoun. She was a member of the inaugural graduating class at Bishop Heelan High School in 1953. Marijo went on to graduate from Edgewood College with a degree in Elementary Education in 1957. She was more than proud to have taught in the Des Moines School System for 41 years making an impact with young children for 41 years. Marijo served as the President and Vice President of the Alpha Mu Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Gerald “Jerry”; daughters, Mary Butler and Geri Troxel of West Des Moines, IA; son, David (Mindy); three grandchildren, Teagan, Quintin and Blake of West Des Moines, Iowa; sister, Boots Drey of Minneapolis, MN; two brothers, Dick (Susan) of Green Bay, WI and John (Beth) of Polk City, IA; several nieces and nephews; along with her favorite dog, Abby. Marijo was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Jim, Jerry and Bob Calhoun; and mother-in-law, Mary Reed.
Memorials may be directed to Sacred Heart Catholic School.
