Evelyn M. Butkus, 96, of Homestead of Morrison, died Friday, December 6, 2024, at Homestead of Morrison, IL.
Evelyn was born January 4, 1928, in Trivoli, IL, to Glen S. and Grace F. (Richardson) Johns. She was educated in the Trivoli Grade School, and was a graduate of Farmington High School in Farmington, IL. On July 3, 1948, she married John J. Butkus, Sr. in Farmington. They shared 53 years together, until his death on February 15, 2001. Evelyn was an Administrative Assistant for the Morrison School District. She enjoyed working with the community of children and staff at Northside Elementary School for 18 years. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Morrison. She loved her family dearly and hosted countless meals and holidays. Together she and John traveled memorable trips to Europe, Australia, and Norway. Some of her favorite memories were from the 20 family trips to the Colorado Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, CO. Evelyn was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to a large family, who will greatly miss her.
Survivors include her daughters, Elizabeth (Greg) Wahl of Sterling, IL, and Mary (Joan Erickson) Butkus of Wauwatosa, WI; sons, Andrew (Debbie) Butkus of Arlington Heights, IL, and John (Jenny) Butkus, Jr. of Morrison; 13 grandchildren, Brian (Elizabeth) Wahl, Michael (Amanda) Wahl, Kevin (Bethany) Wahl, Kate (Matt) Butkus-Prouty, Andrew (Melissa) Butkus, Susan (fiancé Stephen Ferringan) Butkus, Tim Butkus, John (Danielle) Butkus, Daniel (Jill) Wahl, Mark (Katelyn) Butkus, Samantha (fiancé Wes Newton) Butkus, Adam Butkus, and Jenna (Chuck) Gentry; 15 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Annette Butkus of Overland Park, KS.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John; sons, Thomas J. and Michael J. Butkus; sister, Barbara L. Routson; brothers, Clifford D. Johns and Frank Stein.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 13, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Morrison, IL, officiated by Rev. Father Slawomir Zimodro.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
A memorial to the Alzheimer’s Association has been established.