Marian Butler Obituary

Marian Heileson Durtschi Butler

Life Long Teton Valley resident Marian Durtschi Butler, 98, passed away peacefully on Wednesday January 31st at her home in Alta Wyoming surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Marian Edna Heileson was born 9 December, 1925, the second daughter of Ralph Ammon Heileson and Thora Ellen Ricks Heileson. She attended grade school in Felt, Idaho and high school at Madison High School in Rexburg, Idaho. After graduating, Marian fulfilled her dream and entered nurse's training at the L.D.S. School of Nursing in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She trained 3 years in the U.S. Army Nurse Cadet Corps, graduating in 1946. In October of 1946, she married Arnold Alfred Durtschi in the Idaho Falls L.D.S. Temple and began a wonderful life on a little farm in Alta Wyoming, where they added 10 children to their family in the next 12 years.

Marian was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many callings in both the Pratt Ward and Driggs, Idaho Stake.

As a young man, Arnold was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, which meant Marian would need to help support their large family. She returned to work in 1959, and with extra schooling, worked for 28 years in the Teton Valley Hospital in Driggs as a Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthetist and delivered many of the children of Teton Valley.

In 1987, after their last child had graduated from college, Marian was called on a mission to Cochabamba, Bolivia. After serving 20 months there she was called again to serve in the Guatemala North and South Missions.

In June, 1992, Marian married Wallace Troy Butler, and together they served 5 full time missions, Buenos Aires Argentina North and South missions, Quito, Ecuador, Monterrey, Mexico, and the Dallas, Texas missions. Their responsibility in all of these missions was to take care of the health of the missionaries.

Marian was well known for being prolific in creating paintings and drawings which when sold would help pay the bills.

Marian is survived by her children, Dorothy (Ted) Ashby, Hillsboro, Oregon, Ralph (Erna) Durtschi, Pocatello, Id, Mark (Brenda) Durtschi, Alta, Wyo, James (Jeannie) Durtschi, Syracuse, Ut, Grant (Beth) Durtschi, Shelley, Id, Heidi (Gary) Petersen, Rigby, Id, Mike (Desiree) Durtschi, Draper, Ut and Roger (Karrie) Durtschi, Boise, Id.

Marian was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Durtschi, Two children, Benjamin Durtschi who died in birth, and Richard "Dick" Durtschi, and her second husband Troy Butler.

Her funeral will be at the Driggs Idaho Stake Center Saturday February 10th at 11:00 am with the viewing Friday February 9th at 6 pm and Saturday preceding the funeral.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grandtetonfuneralhomedriggs.com