Marilyn Lee Butterbaugh

Marilyn Lee Butterbaugh was born to Otto August and Molly Schalnus in Brush, Colorado. After moving to the Yampa Valley area, Marilyn, along with her parents and six other siblings, enjoyed its beauty. Marilyn graduated from Yampa Union High School in 1950.

In 1958 she married the love of her life, Richard Earl Butterbaugh. The two traveled around the state for work, sightseeing, and enjoying their new life together. They welcomed their first daughter Mary in Grand Junction, CO and the second daughter Joni in Aspen, CO. They permanently moved to Grand Junction, eventually ending up next door to their best friends Marva and Link. The town of Grand Junction stuck on them, and after relocating to an area with a little bit of land they raised their two beautiful girls. The family loved to camp, ride horses, and fish.

Marilyn, who was always a hard worker, provided excellent daycare, touching and helping many families. Marilyn had a caring nature and a loving heart, and she was adored by all who knew her.

Marilyn was known for her light-hearted conversations and orneriness. No matter what, you could count on her to crack a good joke and lighten any mood. Marilyn was a remarkable woman, a loving wife, a wonderful mother, a best friend, and the one-and-only GG to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Otto, Mollie, Norma Jean, Jim, Arlene, and John.

She is survived by her husband Richard; daughters Mary Le (Garry) Collard, and Joni Jean (Wes) Sears; grandchildren Misty (Cory) Adcox, Amy (Jace) Bauserman, Jake (Valerie) Sears, Megan (Mike) Ashcraft; and 9 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life for Marilyn will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 4:00 PM at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 636 26 1/2 Rd., Grand Junction, CO 81506.