Shirley Kathleen Butzer

Shirley Kathleen (Ream) Butzer, age 88 of North Mankato, passed away on Monday, April 3, 2017 at her home surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 6th, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary; memorial service immediately following at 12:00 P.M.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Echo Food Shelf, The Salvation Army or Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life.

Shirley was born October 31, 1928 in Fairmont, Minnesota to Harry Starr Ream and Bernice Mary (Kneefe) Ream.  She graduated from Mankato High School and Walker Art School in Minneapolis.  She married Paul Butzer January 21, 1950.  (Their first date was on October 8, 1943; they went to St. Pete’s and Paul’s weekly dance on Paul’s 15th birthday. Her big brother went along as chaperone).  They were longtime residents of North Mankato, and together raised six children.

Shirley was an accomplished and respected portrait artist in southern Minnesota.  Many area homes display her charcoal or pastel artwork.  She loved sharing her artistic talent in this way. And all of her friends will remember her famous apple and rhubarb pies.  She was very generous with her baking and delivered pies for any and all occasions (or for no occasion at all).

But she would say that her top priority was to be a loving wife, mother and homemaker. It was the primary focus of her life and she maintained a beautiful home.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Paul of North Mankato; her children, Barbara (Cris) Kurbanick of Paradise, CA, Bridget (David) Brandt of Grinnell, IA, Heidi Butzer-Ream of North Mankato, Damian of North Mankato, Todd (Jodi) of Vadnais Heights, and Abby of North Mankato; 23 grandchildren, Iain, Laura, Sean, Nathanael, Katie, Josiah, Clare, Julian, William, Charlotte, Pablo, Damian II, Mark, Daniel, Michael, Anna Kate, Meaghan, Jacob, Mollie, Margaret, Kathleen, Elizabeth and Bridget; 18 great-grandchildren; her loving caregiver, Kacey Bohrer; and her dog, Butz.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Richard K. Ream; and infant daughter, Meaghan Jewel.