Irma "Dryden" Butler

Irma Jean Butler (Dryden) was received into God's loving arms on July 10, 2025, at the age of 88. Her final moments were spent in the presence of loved ones.

Irma was born July 31, 1936, in Colony, KS to Karr and Flossie Dryden (Lamb). She was the youngest of 8 children, little sister to Marion, Argyl, Wilma, Edith, Doris, Everett, and Elma. When Irma was 6 years old, the Dryden family moved to Oskaloosa where Irma would live for the next 19 years. She graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1954. Growing up in the post-Great Depression and World War II eras, her family was accustomed to rationing and reusing. Irma would carry that resourcefulness with her throughout her life.

Irma dedicated a large part of her life to raising her five children. She married Max Brammell in 1953 and from this union were born Dan, Randy, Gayle, and Tina. Following their divorce, Irma married David Butler in 1964, and Matt was welcomed as her fifth child. She devoted herself to caring for her home and family in Harveyville, overseeing school projects, making meals, working outside the home, managing childhood illnesses, attending family youth sporting events, and giving back to her community.

As the kids grew up, she worked for Harveyville School District No. 330 from 1966 to 1991. She was the first female bus driver in the district and served as a substitute teacher, then as a full-time paraprofessional in special education. In later years, she attended Vocational Technical School, earning her LPN certification then working for ten years at the VA Hospital in Topeka. After retiring from the VA, she worked part-time at the Eskridge Nursing Home for ten years. In retirement, Irma and David started a craft business called "Create a Plaque" which allowed them to do events around Kansas with the wonderful craft show community. Over these years, as her family continued to grow, Irma embraced her role as a loving grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother.

Irma and David were very involved in community service activities including the local Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization as well as actively serving the Church of Christ in Harveyville. Irma was even responsible for introducing the Meals on Wheels program in Harveyville, with other volunteers then taking the reins. As a member of the Harveyville Senior Group since 2012, she was particularly proud of her work on the town's community center, rekindling important community interactions. Her faith was critically important to her. Irma was a member of the Church of Christ since 1972, and Harveyville Church of Christ since 1977. It was very difficult for her in her later years when she couldn't see her church family every Sunday.

She loved music, especially classic Gospel tunes. She made sure everyone around her was well-fed, and she found fulfillment in offering care and support to family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. Most of all she loved spending time with family, gathering for holidays, birthdays, or just because. She made sure to stay in touch with loved ones near and far, whether in person, on the phone, or through a hand-written letter. She was equally at ease at a bustling party or sitting in companionable silence. She was always ready with a good story, a funny quip, or a drop of wisdom. Irma's presence will be deeply missed, and she will be held dearly in the hearts of the many people who loved her.

Irma was preceded in death by her husband, David F. Butler (d. 2018); her parents, Karr and Flossie Dryden; her brothers Argyl Dryden, Marion Dryden, and Everett Dryden; and her sisters Wilma Reiling, Edith Murray, and Doris Dodson. Irma is survived by her sister Elma Luthye, Topeka, KS; and her children Dan Eldon Brammell (Kathy), Mount Laurel, NJ; Randall Dean Brammell (Toni), Topeka, KS; Gayle Lynette Bachman (Rudy, deceased), Howell, MI; Tina Marie Fisher (Bruce), Prescott, AZ; and Matthew John Butler (Gretchen), Burlingame, KS. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and 11 great-great grandchildren.

Services will be held Tuesday, July 15 at 11 a.m. at the Harveyville Church of Christ. Services are open to everyone. Lunch will follow at the church's annex building. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Harveyville Church of Christ in Irma's honor.