Juanita (Heaston) Butler was born at home on her parent’s farm in the vicinity of Ramah, Colorado on June 17, 1931. She spent her childhood and teenage years working side by side on the family farms with her siblings and parents. She shared stories with her boys about the perseverance she learned from hoeing long rows of pinto beans as a young girl. Juanita graduated from Alta Vista High School in 1949. She had four siblings; Everett Heaston (Betty Jo), Harold Heaston (Beverly); Billy Heaston (Velda); Margaret Ann Heaston West (Keith).
On January 6, 1953, Juanita was united in marriage to her loving husband, Dean Butler. They celebrated 67 years of marriage on January 6, 2020. Dean was enlisted in the United States Air Force when they were married. They were stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California and Patrick Air Force Base in Florida in the early years of their marriage. When he had finished his enlistment in the Air Force, the couple returned to Colorado accepting an invitation to manage the Butler family farm south of Calhan. When Dean’s parents decided to sell the farm a few years later, Dean and Juanita bought a ranch west of Lake George.
In 1967 they sold the mountain ranch and bought the family farm west of Rocky Ford which became home for the next 29 years. The couple raised their family on that farm supporting all three boys in their activities at Rocky Ford High School. Juanita was actively involved at the Rocky Ford Assembly of God Church. They sold the farm in 1996 and retired to Colorado City where they remained until 2018. During retirement Dean and Juanita were active members of Valley Community Church in Colorado City.
Juanita took great joy in serving her family and others. She began cooking for the family at age 12 when her mother passed away. She was an incredible cook and her children were always well-cared for and greatly loved. Her hobbies were knitting, crocheting, and quilting. She blessed her children and grandchildren with many handmade items.
Dean and Juanita made scores of visits to see family and be involved in their grandchildren’s lives wherever they lived around the world. She loved hymns and Gospel music, and always had a warm smile and a kind word for everyone. We thank God for blessing us with a mother who was faithful and steadfast through the challenges of life. We are so blessed to be your children and grandchildren. We love you and will remember you always.
Juanita was preceded in death by Dean; daughter, Gwen and parents Truman and Irene Heaston. She is survived by sons: Doug (Julie); Steve (Kathy); Jeff (Cindi); and grandchildren: Breanne; Zachery (Heidi); Joshua (Jackie); Jeremy; Nate; Sam; Caleb; Seth; Danielle; Trenton; Gavin; Gwynn Butler Mertz (Kevin); Allie; Sarah; Matt and Axel.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS IN MEMORY OF JUANITA BUTLER TO THE DEMENTIA SOCIETY OF AMERICA BY MAIL TO P.O. BOX 600, DOYLESTOWN, PA 18901, OR ONLINE HTTP://WWW.DEMENTIASOCIETY.ORG/DONATE.
The memorial service will be Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 10:00 am, Living Hope Church, 640 Manitou Blvd., Colorado Springs; Interment Memorial Gardens.
PALLBEARERS
• Trenton Butler
• Gavin Butler
• Matt Butler
• Sam Butler
• Caleb Butler
• Seth Butler
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
• Zachery Butler
• Joshua Butler
• Jeremy Butler
• Nathaniel Butler
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18