Ethel Eudean (Winters) Butolph, age 98, of North Platte, NE passed away on June 29, 2021 at Linden Court in North Platte, NE. She was born on the family farm near Tryon, NE on July 9, 1922 to Albert Edward and Florence Millicent (Cumpston) Winters. Ethel was the seventh of ten children in the family. It was there that she developed her love for the Nebraska Sandhills and her work ethic.
She was a member of Parkview Community Nazarene Church and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Ethel enjoyed her flowers, embroidering and quilting for herself and others.
After completing 8th grade, she was ready to explore the world outside of the Sandhills. She worked for the Postmaster at Ringgold, NE before going to Bend, Oregon with her sister, Opal. While she was in Bend, she began a pen pal correspondence with her future husband Virgil.
The ladies of McPherson County had included the names of the unmarried girls with popcorn balls they prepared for the North Platte Canteen. Virgil and Ethel exchanged letters for three years before meeting in person. They were married 2 weeks later on September 14, 1944 while he was home on leave from the U.S. Army.
Ethel was always happy to share the story of their courtship and was proud to be called the “Popcorn Ball Bride”.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Linden Court for the wonderful care given to Ethel.
She was preceded in death by her husband Virgil, in 1976; her parents; 1 brother, George Winters; 6 sisters, Mary Winters, Edna Klitzke, Ella Leeds, Pearl Osborne, Opal Winters, Bessie Bass; and son in law, Nathan Clark.
She is survived by her 5 children, Verdena (Richard) Clark Mustion, Voneta “Vonnie” (Dennis) Engler, Joleen (Jon) Oosting, Gaylene (Robert) Davis, all of North Platte, NE and son, Douglas (Joy) Butolph of Omaha, NE; 13 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; 1 unborn great grandchild; 2 sisters, Vera Butrick of Watertown, SD and Bernice Andreasen of North Platte, NE; and many other family and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Lincoln County Historical Museum or Parkview Community Nazarene Church.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel in North Platte, NE with Reverend James Trippett officiating. Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska.
Visitation and Book signing will be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 5, 2021 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel.
The service will be livestreamed via Carpenter Chapel’s Facebook page. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be directed to www.carpentermemorial.com.