April 24, 1937 – August 7, 2013
On August 7th, Carolyn, 76, passed away peacefully with family at her side after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.
Carolyn Louise Butcher (Yerke) was born on April 24th, 1937 in Portland to Irene and Albert Yerke. Growing up in SE Portland, she attended Grout Elementary, graduated from Cleveland High School and earned her Bachelor’s in Education from Portland State University in 1959.
Carolyn married her college sweetheart, Preston Butcher, in August of 1960 and settled into a little house in the Errol Heights neighborhood of SE Portland. She taught fourth grade at Binsmead Elementary school until her daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1965. Moving to Happy Valley, she became a fulltime homemaker excelling in cooking, sewing and decorating. She loved entertaining and with her childhood friends, formed a pinochle group.
Gardening and flowers were her great passion and in 1965, she joined the Happy Valley Garden Club making life-long friendships. Her second daughter, Sara, was born in 1969. She was very active in her daughter’s lives, joining the PTA and leading a 4H group.
In 1976, at the invitation of her neighbor, she joined Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. Through the years, she participated in Bible study groups, woman’s ministries and the Altar Guild, sharing her gifts in floral arrangement and cooking and gathering new friendships.
After her daughters were grown and Preston had retired, they maintained their active lifestyle spending time with friends, playing Mexican Train dominos, exercising with the Silver Sneakers and traveling. Carolyn’s favorite times, though, were spent with her family at home, on frequent trips to the beach and in Hawaii.
Her dream of being a grandmother came true when her grandchildren, Natalie and Joey were born. She was their favorite babysitter, spending time teaching them cooking, gardening and crafts up until the last weeks of her life.
Carolyn built a life of love and beauty for herself and her family. We will miss her deeply.
Carolyn is survived by her husband, Preston, daughters, Elizabeth Schneider (James) and Sara Butcher (Christopher), Granddaughter, Natalie Schneider, Grandson, James Schneider and brother, Roger Yerke.
The family would like to thank OHSU/The Knight Cancer Institute and Providence Hospice for their support and kindness.
A memorial service will be held at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church on Saturday, September 7th at 4pm. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to Carolyn’s favorite charity, Mercy Corps. Please sign the online guest book at www.lincolnmemorial.com.
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