Gurnee, Illinois
Elizabeth H. Butkus Elizabeth H. Butkus, 79, of Bloomingdale, Ill., passed away on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at St. Alexius Hospital in Hoffman Estates. She was born Dec. 16, 1931, in Waukegan. Elizabeth retired as a high school Spanish teacher in 1993 after 42 years teaching, spending most of that time at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park. She was a graduate of Normal Teacher's College in Normal, Ill., where she received her B.S. in education, and received her master's degree in education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Survivors include one brother, Daniel (Theresa) Butkus of Waukegan; nephews, Larry (Kathy) Butkus of Centerville, Ohio, and their children Claire, Grace and Camille, Gary (Jason Range) Butkus of Indianapolis, Ind. and Mike (Danielle) Butkus of Hoffman Estates and their children, Mitchell and Nathan. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Helen (White) Butkus. A prayer service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m. at the Salata Gurnee Funeral Home, 4190 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee. There will be no visitation and interment will be private. Donations may be made in her memory to the Northern Illinois Food Bank, 600 Industrial Drive, St. Charles, IL 60174. For information, 847-244-1155 or www.gurneefuneralhome.com.
Betty was my high school Spanish teacher at Bremen High School in the 50's. Not only was she my teacher, but she was also a dear friend. She inspired me to become a Spanish teacher. I retired in 2000 after 34 years of teaching and the high point of my retire party was seeing her there. She was also the reason I attended ISNU. She was the greatest. Diane(Ramona) Ricchio Carrico(Albuquerque, NM)
Diane Carrico
January 22, 2012 | Albuquerque, NM
Betty was my Spanish teacher at Willowbrook. Since graduation in 1980 she and I have kept in contact. She is a remarkable woman and I will always think of her with the fondest of memories. She is one of the few teachers who truly loved her students and we loved her. Rest, Betty. Con carino, Diane (Neville) Hnidan (New Port Richey, FL)
January 07, 2012
I studied Spanish with Miss Butkus in 1968-1972 at Willowbrook HS and became a Spanish teacher myself. She often took time from lessons to talk about pursuing our dreams and working hard at school and life. Many times you think students aren't listening but they are. She had high standards for her students and we were always challenged in her classroom. Her dedication to education is admired. My sympathy to her family and friends.
Susan (Buller) Mejia
December 14, 2011 | Geneva, IL
I found out this evening about the passing of Miss Butkus. She was absolutely one of my hardest (and favorite) teachers. While I did not teach Spanish, I did become a high school teacher for over 30 years. She helped to create my work ethic and set standards to last a life time. I thought of her often, and wish I had kept in touch. She was one in a million!
Debbie (Alis) Dipert
December 04, 2011 | Glen Ellyn, IL
Betty set the standard pretty high for students and teachers alike. I never doubted for one moment that Betty was on her A game and expected all to be on theirs. And through her sometimes hard armor, you knew she cared deeply and lived integrally. She not only talked the talk, the walked the walk - challenging us to be the best people and and create a society that lives out our American values. After I left her classroom, our friendship developed over the last almost 30 years. I hope that 30...
Paul Sommers
November 28, 2011 | Minneapolis, MN
I was so sorry to hear this. She inspired me to be a Spanish teacher myself. 42 years of teaching.....that says it all. She will be greatly missed.
November 28, 2011
Gracias por las memorias, nunca te olvidaremos. Descansa en paz.. :(
Norman White
November 28, 2011 | Chicao, IL