Gwendolyn Gwen Hope Butler

Gwendolyn (Gwen) Hope Butler passed away on October 15, 2011 at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. She was born May 8, 1920 in Sedro Woolley, Washington, and was the only child of Clarence and Millie Chase.

Gwen was 6 years old when the family moved to Hoquiam, Washington where she received her education. It was here that she met the love of her life and future husband Kenneth Butler. They were married in 1940 and shared a wonderful life together. They missed celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary by four days.

She moved constantly all of her life, having lived in over thirty-five homes.

During the war, she worked for Boeing with Rosie the Riveter in the installation of rivets on airplanes. She was a retail clerk, a banker, worked in a office, and was very involved in several businesses they owned,

Ken and Gwen had two children, Larry Butler presently in Spokane and Kay Thomas in Yakima. Raising her two children became her most significant accomplishment.

They moved to Ellensburg in 1954 where Kenny was the Chief of Police. They lived there until 1962 when he became the Chief of Police of Aberdeen. One year later he retired and they moved back to Ellensburg where they purchased a motel/trailer court.

They loved spending their winters at Mesa Spirit (formerly Trailer Village) in Mesa, Arizona, which eventually became their residence. Their summers were spent in Yakima, They loved to stop in Sparks and play the slot machines when they commuted back and forth. Mom loved to play Bingo and to watch people as they passed by their home, listen to music, dance, make ceramics, paint. and was an avid reader.

After Kenney's death she moved to Living Care Retirement Center in Yakima which she enjoyed immensely and formed many friendships. She loved to buy new clothes to wear to dinner.

She is survived by her children, Larry (Carol) Butler and Kay (Le Roy) Thomas, 5 grandchildren, Chris (Ann) Butler, Merry (Kevin) Amoth, Tracy (Scott) Trotter, Shellie (Scott) Sauve and Karissa Thomas, 16 great grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband and one grandson Steve Thomas.

At last, Ken and Gwen will be "together again".

A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 22, 2011 at Keith & Keith Terrace Heights Chapel. A graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 24, 2011 at Terrace Heights Memorial Park.