Mary Ellen Butala

1933 - 2021

MARY ELLEN BUTALA, 87

October 13, 1933-July 18, 2021

Mary was Born to John Jacob Isaacson and Ellen Rose McMahon Isaacson in a farmhouse near Mountain Iron Minnesota, she was the second of four children all born in the same house and all delivered by their grandmother Isaacson. When she was 6 years old her father came to Montana to find work. After finding work in the mines, he sent money for the family to move to Butte and they settled down in a small house next to the Anselmo mine yard on Edison Street. She attended local schools and graduated from Butte High in 1951. On September 5, 1952 she married Raymond Joseph Butala and had two sons, Robert and James. The love of her life Ray passed away in 2012. Her working career included time spent with Currie Buick, Wilson Motor, Shamrock Motors and retiring from Montana Livestock in 1988. She and Ray loved to spend time with family and friends at Canyon Ferry boating and water skiing. Mom excelled at making sure every first-time water skier was successful at getting up. Also, Jeepin', hunting and snowmobiling all over Montana were favorite pastimes, not forgetting that many of us were rescued by them from various situations. They also traveled extensively in their changing fleet of campers and motor homes across the continent, trips to the Islands and the occasional road trip to Jackpot with 'Uncle Louie'.

She is survived by sons Bob and wife Terri, Jim and wife Lynn, their daughter Melissa, husband Jeff Dahood and their sons Wade and Brett, and their son Michael Butala, wife Casey and their daughter and son Harleigh and Hank, Brother Bob Issacson and wife Alberta, sister Shirley, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews great-great nieces and nephews, many cousins, foster son Brandt Thomas and her special cousin Dorothy Cummings. The family also wishes to thank the Butte Cancer Center and Highlands Hospice for their special care.

Cremation has taken place. Memorial services will be conducted Wednesday, July 28th at 11 AM in Wayrynen-Richards Funeral Home.

Express condolences at www.wayrynen-richards.com.