Catherine Butler

WELLSBORO - Catherine Butler, 82 of Wellsboro, formerly of Sterling, Alaska passed away unexpectedly while passing through Chicago, coming back from a trip to Alaska.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, October 19, 2013 at the First Baptist Church, Galeton PA with Reverend Skeet Keaton Officiating. Memorials may be made to Shepherds College, 1805 15th Avenue, Union Grove, WI 53182.

Catherine was born March 20, 1931 the daughter of the late Harold and Margaret (nee Fuller) Prouty. She graduated from Gaines High School in 1948 and Mansfield State Teachers College in 1952 with a Bachelor's degree in teaching. Catherine taught home economics and English in Westfield,and Knoxville Ulysses & Williamson High School. At age 16, Catherine started tying trout fishing flies which she did for 37 years. She had her own fly-tying business for 24 years, retiring in 1984.

As her children were growing up she was active in children’s ministries including Good New Clubs, Backyard Bible Clubs, Joy Clubs and AWANA. She was a Cub Scout leader in Osceola, PA and a member of First Baptist Church, Galton PA. In her retirement years she was a volunteer head cook from 1988 - 1994 at Higher Ground Baptist Bible Camp in Sterling Alaska during the summer months. For 12 winters she volunteered in the kitchen at Wesleyan Village in Brooksville, Florida. From 1988 - 2002 she traveled with her husband as building missionaries in various locations around the United States. In 2002 she and Roger retired permanently to Sterling, Alaska where she was active in her local church, Sterling Baptist Church.

In the mid-80's she taught kindergarten/1st grade at Baptist Bible School in New Hartford, NY. All through her life she was known for her hospitality, She was always hosting summer missionaries at her home, hosting exchange students, and cooking meals for visiting missionaries.

Once retiring to Alaska, she hosted many, many people at her home, not only family and friends, but sometimes people she didn’t even know. She would many times have 15-20 people there at a time. There seemed to always be people around and all were welcome. Anyone that come to her door was welcome to join in a meal or spend a night.

Catherine was a skilled seamstress and knitter/crocheter. Every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild received at least one afghan she had knitted/crocheted. She kept every child and grandchild well supplied with knitted mittens to keep their hands warm in the winter.

On Dec. 27, 1952 she married Roger D. Butler and he survives along with five children: Densyl (Janet) Butler of Wellsboro, Greg (Teresa) Butler of Galeton, Dawn (Bruce) Shelley of Anchorage, Wendy (Jeff) Monroe of Baroda, MI and Alissa (Dan) Gibson of Alexandria VA; 21 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; a brother Ken (Geraldine) Prouty of Wellsboro and a sister Jean Prouty of Hershey PA.

Catherine was preceded in death by a daughter, Stephanie Butler in 1953.

Memorial Service

11 AM ,Saturday, October 19, 2013
First Baptist Church
240 W. Main Street Galeton, PA 16922