Doris Butler

Born in Powell, Wyoming on April 21, 1934, Doris was the daughter of Neil and Nioma Reno. She grew up in a big, loving family with six brothers and three sisters. When Doris was born, the Reno family lived on a farm in Wyoming and later moved to Paul, Idaho where they worked another farm. Along with her siblings, Doris was raised to know the values of hard work, faith, and family. She graduated from the Powell School System and went on to earn her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from a vocational school in Fort Collins, Colorado. She worked as an LPN, an EMT, and, most importantly, as a housewife and a mother.

On January 23, 1955, Doris married her sweetheart, Buck Butler, in Buffalo, Wyoming. In 1956, Doris & Buck welcomed a son, John, and later in 1959, a daughter, Janelle. Doris and the kids went wherever Buck's job took them, which was all over. They lived in Colorado, Oregon, Wyoming, North & South Dakota, Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Montana, and South Carolina. Doris was able to make friends and find work anywhere she went. She was not an idle woman and loved keeping busy.

Doris was a happy person who always had a smile on her face. There just wasn't much in this life that could get her down. She was kind and caring, always looking out for others. She was fiercely loyal to her family and to her friends and she was reliable. Doris was the kind of person that could always be counted on. She was also silly and enjoyed teasing everyone, never taking life too seriously.

Doris was an avid reader. She had several book companies sending her books every month and she read every one them. She also liked to do puzzles, always exercising her mind. Doris loved animals. She had many dogs and cats throughout her life, all of whom she loved dearly, especially her last dog, Grover. She also loved to bowl and was the Loveland Women's Bowling Association Manager from 1991-2003. During that time, she won the Secretary of the Year Award from the Colorado Women's Bowling Association. She won several local and state bowling tournaments and bowled in many national tournaments. Doris was also a volunteer police officer for the Loveland Police Department.

More than anything else, Doris loved spending time with her family. The Reno Clan held family reunions all over the country 39 years in a row, from Washington State to Idaho to North Dakota to Wyoming to Colorado and Montana. And Doris attended most of them. Doris was overjoyed to become a great-grandmother on her 82nd birthday when great-granddaughter, Natalia, was born.

Doris didn't take life for granted. She didn't waste time being angry, sad, or lazy. She knew she was blessed and thanked God every day. She will be dearly missed by many.

Doris is survived by her children, John Butler (Tracy), and Janelle Dowling (Bill). She was a proud grandmother and great-grandmother to Josh Rongish, his wife Jamie, and their daughters Makalia Ford (15) and Evelyn Rongish (6): and Justin Rongish, his wife Theresa, and their children Natalia (9) and Johnnie (7). She is also survived by a brother, Ken Reno of Arizona, and a sister, Marge Scholtz of Washington.

She is preceded in death by Buck Butler, who passed away in 1999; brothers Ralph, Roy, Sweed, Walter, and Lloyd; sisters, Alice and Helen; and by her mother & father.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 5pm-7pm at Resthaven Funeral Home in Fort Collins. Services will take place Friday, October 17, 2025 at Timnath Presbyterian Church in Timnath, Colorado, beginning with a Time for Viewing at 10:30am and a Celebration of Doris' Life at 11:30am. A lunch reception will follow at the church, after which Doris will be taken to her final place of rest. Her Graveside Service will occur at 2:30pm at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Fort Collins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Doris' memory to your favorite charitable organization. Treasured memories of Doris and words of condolence for her family are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.