Nancy Jane (Nickolisen) Butler 1932 - 2018

NICKOLISEN, BUTLER, MILLER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/11/2018 at 09:22:46

Mapleton Press
13 September 2018

Nancy Jane (Nickolisen) Butler was born in Ticonic on April 21, 1932. She was united in marriage to Donald Gene Butler in Smithland on June 20, 1951.

Nancy could make anyone in her presence feel exceptional. The truest things are felt, not said, and while words fail, anyone who experienced her warm acceptance will know instantly what these words describe.

Few people have so many gifts all mixed together; many can cook, or decorate, or arrange flowers, but Nancy’s graceful gift of planning and organizing, generosity, eye for detail, love of nature, and heart tuned to kindness, combined in a soft-souled style was astonishing. She was a true artist the way she made her home, and our lives. Nothing threw her off her course of quiet faith in life.

At the time of her death, Nancy was survived by her husband, Donald Gene; daughters, Melanie (Randy) Schroeder, Melissa (Richard) Severance, and Monica Perme; grandchildren, Andrea Schroeder (fiancé Erik); Grant, Anna, and Jack Perme; nephew, Darwin (Brenda) Nickolisen; nieces, Kathy Menin, Karla (Dave) Lange, Tricia (Doug) Durst, and Amy (Dennis) O’Neal; other relatives, neighbors, and friends.

Nancy was preceded in death by parents, Marion and Ethel (Miller) Nickolisen; father-in-law, Donald A. Jessen; mother-in-law, Bernice Jessen; brother, Miller Nickolisen; sister-in-law, Doris Nickolisen; and grandson, William B. Schroeder.

The spring following her death, there were some very sad hummingbirds on Hidden Bay Road.

Memorials preferred to St. Labre Indian School, or to the University of Minnesota CFANS Donan Scholarship.