Phyllis Arlene Butterfield

Phyllis Arlene Butterfield (age 94) passed away on October 15th, 2025. She died in her sleep at the home where she had lived for the past 65 years. She was born in Montrose on February 2nd 1931 to August and Glady Krill. 

Phyllis lived in the Olathe area her entire life. She grew up on her family’s farm in Coal Creek, attending Coal Creek School and Olathe High School. In 1949 she married William (Bill) Butterfield and together they raised two children, daughter Sheryl (Starbuck) and son Phillip. While her children were young, Phyllis did seasonal work in the apple packing sheds on Ash Mesa. Once her kids entered school she began working at Olathe Elementary School, first as a cook in the hot lunch program and later as a teaching assistant. Her final job as an assistant in the library provided her with a chance to connect with kids on a one-to-one level; she found that work to be especially rewarding. Her summers were spent canning fruits and vegetables from Bill’s garden and local orchards. Although Phyllis’s dill pickles, apricot jam, and green beans were famous throughout the family, her husband loved her canned peaches and pears the most. Phyllis was a capable and thoughtful homemaker and took pride in maintaining an impeccable home and yard until the day she died. She especially enjoyed tending to her roses and other flowers. Phyllis was a loving Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Holidays were special at GGPhys’s house where she enjoyed hosting all the family that could come. She loved watching her seven great grandkids grow up and spending time with them either in person or via video on her phone. Phyllis was solid in her faith, spending time each day in prayer and reading her bible.

 Phyllis is survived by her son Phillip (Patricia) Butterfield, son-in-law Harvey Starbuck, grandchildren Natasha, Caleb (Sarah), Sara (Ben), James (Stephanie), and Tristan (Taylor), and great grandchildren Greta, Heidi, August, Henry, Samuel, Kathryn, and James. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill whom she married 77 years ago, her daughter Sheryl Starbuck, and her brothers George and David Krill.