Ada Marie Butler Huelsman Frederking

She was a resident of Midland since 1955. Our Mama was the oldest of four children and grew up in a small mid-western town where family and community were close. She was raised with traditional American values and went through the Depression, which taught her to be frugal, and to waste naught. She was an active member of Eastern Star and an accomplished cellist playing in string quartets in St. Louis and southern Illinois. She obtained her teaching certificate from MacMurry College for Women in Jacksonville, Illinois and taught in several one-room schools in Washington and White County Illinois. She met her husband, A.D. (Mel) Butler from Albany, Texas who was working for Oil Well Supply in Nashville, Illinois. They met at a skating rink in Nashville and he immediately swept her off her feet—the cute man from Texas who wore his hat cocked to one side. They were married in 1940 and resided in Carmi, Illinois until WWII began and he joined the army. During the war, she moved to Port Arthur, Texas where she worked for the war effort at Gulf Chemical. After the war, she and Mel eventually settled in Midland in 1955 where Mel worked for Oil Well Supply and they raised their three children.

Mama was a faithful servant of God and, from initially moving to Midland until her passing, was an active member of First United Methodist Church. She taught Sunday school and was active in the Buddy Wood Class, played in the hand bell choir and was active in UMW where she met many life-long friends. Mama was active in the community and worked for Head Start. She also returned to her love of music by playing cello in the Midland Symphony Orchestra directed by Walter Montani. After Mel’s death in 1978, she worked with dear friends at Upstairs Downstairs for 10 years. In 1986, Mama went back to Nashville, Illinois for her 50th high school reunion and reunited with school friend, Albert Frederking. They were married in 1989 and she moved back to Nashville with Albert but also maintained her long-time home and friendships in Midland. After Albert’s death in 1999, she returned to Midland and continued active membership in FUMC. She was active at Senior Citizens Center of Midland, Midland Garden Club and AnAmi. She was a fiercely independent and dynamic woman, enjoyed keeping up with the activities of her growing family, travel, several card groups, following world events, politics and public affairs, and was an avid reader and student of the Bible. Being a woman of strong convictions and opinions, she was famously quick to provide family members with advice, instruction, congratulations or correction as she felt circumstances warranted.

Ada Marie was preceded in death by her parents; her two husbands; her sister MaryEllen Lenz, sister Doris Lang and her brother Bob Huelsman.

She is survived by her three children, Gail Butler Berger and husband Byron of southern Colorado, Jim Butler of Dallas, Texas and Jane Butler Bralley and husband Col. James Bralley (Ret.) of Harker Heights, Texas; six grandchildren, Jonathan Berger and wife Christi of Dallas, Erin Shaw and husband Jim of San Angelo, Texas, Kristen Butler and husband Jason Rymer of Dallas, Mary Margaret Bralley, Ben Bralley and wife Shannon, JD Bralley and wife Tiffany all of Harker Heights; eight great grandchildren, Abigail Berger, Annabel Berger, AJ Shaw, Axel Shaw, William Bralley, Betsy Bralley, Ella Bralley and Hudson Bralley; her sister-in-law Mildred Frederking and three Frederking stepchildren and their families and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

She will truly be missed.

There will be a visitation at Ellis Funeral Home on Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 5:00-7:00 PM and funeral services will be held at First United Methodist Church on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 10:00 AM. Private burial will be in Albany, Texas at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her remembrance to First United Methodist Church of Midland at300 N. Main St., Midland, Texas 79701 or to Hospice of Midland at PO Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702.

Online condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com