Florence Butler) Obituary

Florence Helen (Straw) Butler)
Born: August 14, 1942
Died: February 13, 2026
Florence Helen (Strawn) Butler, of Malta, IL, passed away in hospice on February 13th, 2026, at Oak Crest retirement center in DeKalb, IL.
Florence was born on August 14th, 1942, in DeKalb, IL, to Wilbur and Billie (Wilma Hayden) Strawn. The first few years of her life were spent living in DeKalb. When the family moved to Malta, Flo (and her parents) were presented with the opportunity to lease a small pasture that was just the right size for a pony. This was the start of a love affair with horses, and other animals, that would last her entire life.
In the Malta school system, Flo excelled in academics, and was a cheerleader in high school. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from NIU. She was a lifelong member of the Malta United Methodist Church.
On September 10th, 1961, Flo married her high school sweetheart, Paul Butler, fulfilling her childhood prediction that she would marry a farmer. They made their home in Malta, and had two sons, Aaron and Adrian. After 9 years of living in the town of Malta, the family moved to the family farm on South Malta Road. Flo became the jack of all trades that most farm wives were. She was a homemaker, keeper of the farm books, surrogate mother to countless numbers of lambs, horse stable manager, and occasionally a reluctant tractor operator.
Flo and Paul's mutual love of horses evolved into expanding the horse facilities and starting Cottonwood Stables, which they operated for four decades. They made many wonderful friends while hunting, eventing, barrel racing, and boarding horses.
Flo is survived by her brothers, George (Candace) Strawn and Hugh (Yvonne) Strawn; sons, Aaron (Donna) Butler and Adrian (Mary Pettey) Butler, and grandchildren, Anna (Alex) Hopkins, Collin Butler and Nathan Pettey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Billie and Wilbur; her sisters, Susan Britt and Sally Strawn; her nephew, William Britt; her sister-in-law. Joyce Strawn; and her brother-in-law, Bill Britt.
The family would like to thank Oakcrest, the nurses and CNA's and all of the staff for the excellent care that they provided Flo, and an enormous thank you to Northern Illinois Hospice for providing Flo with excellent end-of-life care.
A memorial has been established for the Malta United Methodist Church.
A celebration of life will be held March 13th from 4 to 7 pm at Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak St in DeKalb. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115 (815) 758-3841