Phyllis Butherus

December 29, 1942 - July 9, 2025

Wichita, Kansas - Phyllis Diann Butherus, 82 of Wichita Kansas was born on December 29, 1942, in Coffeyville, Kansas to Ruby (King) Goodman and Francis Goodman. She passed peacefully at Harry Hynes Hospice July 9, 2025. Rosary Service will be Monday July 14 at 10 a.m. and Funeral Service will follow at 10:30 a.m. both at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church 11000 W Southwest Blvd, Wichita, KS 67215. She attended Field Kindley high school graduating with honors in 1960. She attended Coffeyville Jr College where she first met Donald Hawk, a star athlete, and Kansas University on scholarship and a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She and Don Hawk married in 1963. Two children were born of that union, Wesley Hawk and Bradley Hawk. Don passed away in May of 1989. Also preceding her in death were her parents Francis and Ruby; sister Darlene; and brother Gary; and, sadly, son Wesley. In December of 1990 Phyllis married Tom Butherus of Goddard Kansas. Phyllis and Tom lived for 23 years in a west Sedgwick County locale named Shadybanks, a lovely acreage with many trees and 2 ponds, raising Tom's two still at home children, Daniel and Patty. In 2000 Phyllis acquired a Yellow Lab pup they named Buck who became a beloved family member to them. In 2014, Tom and Phyllis (and Buck) reluctantly moved into West Wichita as caring for the Shadybanks property was becoming difficult. However, Phyllis (and Tom) came to love their new home in Redmond Estates for its location and wonderful neighbors. Phyllis was a beautiful woman in many ways and was highly accomplished as well. She hired on as a secretary at the Rollins Hudick Hall (later Rollins Burdick and Hunter, later acquired by AON Brokerage) aviation insurance agency in 1975 and "rose thru the ranks" completing a Bachelor's degree from Kansa Newman University and retiring in 1999 as a Senior Vice President from then AON. Besides her successful working career, she was a Certified Water Safety Instructor, running the program in McPherson Ks for a term. She was an ordained Episcopal deacon and a volunteer chaplain at St Francis Hospital. Phyllis was a very talented musician who provided piano lessons and was a key member of St Peter the Apostle Catholic Church music ministry. She was very active at St Peter's having joined the Catholic Church in 1994, working as a volunteer in teaching religious classes and served as the Director of Religious Education as well as serving on the school council. Further, she spearheaded several church initiatives such as the St Peter Lord's Diner volunteer program and also volunteered there, 24-hour Adoration and Eucharistic Ministry for the home bound. In addition to all this, she served as Tom's crew chief on a 200mph drag race car, where they competed successfully over much of the Mid and Southwest. Phyllis also loved to play Bridge and do laundry! Throughout this time, she was a wonderful spouse, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, as well as a dear friend to many. Indeed, she had wonderful friends, a testament to her personality and character. She is survived by husband Tom; son Bradley and his wife Stephanie of Rancho Palos Verdes Ca; daughter in law Becky (Wesley) Hawk of Wichita; Tom's children Tina, Daniel and Patty; grandchildren Collin, Lauren, Caitlin, Meghan, Weston, Cathryne, Clay, Aryn, Elea, Cyrus, Sorche, Zachary; and great grandchildren Bryton, Bowen, Parker, Thomas, Laken, Jaylen, Cody, Ryker, and Zoie. She loved many, was loved by many and is certainly now rejoicing in her Lord but sorely missed on this earth by Tom and her family. In lieu of flowers, Memorials: St. Peter Catholic School 11010 W Southwest Blvd, Wichita, KS 67215. www.wsmortuary.com.