Anna Marie Butkus

Anna Marie Hovland Butkus, 86, of Fergus Falls, Mn passed away on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Mill Street Residence. Ann was born on January 5, 1939, in Fergus Falls, MN, to John and Alma Hovland. She was the youngest of 11 children. 

She graduated from Roosevelt high school in 1957. After high school she began working at Fergus Falls National Bank.  She met Don Butkus, and they married on Sept. 26, 1959. The couple moved to Omaha, NE where Don worked for AT&T. Ann transferred to Northwestern National Bank of Omaha and began a long career in the banking industry.

In the beginning she worked at the Northwestern National Bank of Omaha stockyards location and often commented "the smell of money surrounded the bank." Over the years she was promoted and eventually became a Vice President. She was good at her job and enjoyed it all. Northwestern National Bank became Norwest Bank and eventually Wells Fargo Bank. Ann worked through all the changes. 

After Don's death in 1997 Ann continued working until 1999. She remained in Omaha to care for her mother and father in-law until their death. In 2007 she moved back to Fergus to be closer to her family. In Fergus she volunteered at the Food Shelf, serving as the treasurer for a number of years. She also volunteered at Mill Street Residence taking people to and from the beauty shop. 

She is preceded in death by: Husband Don, Parents John & Alma Hovland, Mother and Father In-law Helen & Stan Butkus. Brothers and Sister In-Laws: Joe (Ollie) Hovland, Link Hovland, Ken (Martha) Hovland, Hubert (Marilyn) Hovland, Doug (Carol) Hovland, Florence "Flossy" Hovland. Sisters and Brother In­ Laws: Alice (Earl) Olson, Lorraine (Kermit) Kastella, Marge (Johnny) Jenson, June (Simon) Weseman. Nephews: Robert Jenson and Cory Hovland. 

Anna is survived by: Brother Johnny Hovland (Dalton); many nieces and nephews; special grandnephews Colin (Paige) Kjesbo and Kent (Kate) Kjesbo; Great­ Grandnephew Campbell Kjesbo; and Great-Grandniece Quinn Kjesbo.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home. Service at 12:00 with visitation 1 hour prior.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley, or the Fergus Falls Community Food Shelf.