Evelyn Lucille Buterbaugh, age 97 of Walnut Grove, passed away Sunday, August 17, 2025, while surrounded by her family, at Country View Senior Living in Walnut Grove. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at church. Burial is in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice. com. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Evelyn Lucille Buterbaugh was born May 23, 1928 in Springdale Township, Redwood County, Minnesota to Albert and Sophia (Rasmussen) Freeburg. A lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove, Evelyn was rooted in her faith and community. She graduated from Walnut Grove High School and continued her education at secretarial school in Mankato. Evelyn then went on to work as a secretary at TriCounty in Tracy before marriage. On May 29, 1947, Evelyn was united in marriage to John Russell Buterbaugh at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. After several years as a homemaker and when her girls were in school Evelyn took a position in the Walnut Grove High School office, where she was a friendly and familiar face to students and staff alike. Russell and Evelyn shared 76 years together, where they built a beautiful life, spending many cherished winters in Arizona and summers at Lake Shetek. Their shared love of travel took them to every U.S. state except Alaska. Evelyn had a gift for making a house a home. She was a talented seamstress and baker, known for her delicious cookies and bars. Her hands were rarely still; she created intricate hardanger and embroidery pieces with patience and care. In her younger years, Evelyn tended vibrant flower and vegetable gardens, preserving their bounty to nourish her family throughout the year.
Evelyn is survived by her children: Cozette (Robert) Sanderson of CT, Kay (James) Ostgaard of Rochester, MN, and Kris (George) Landuyt of Tracy; grandchildren: Greg (Kara), Tim (Heather), Jeff (Liz), and John Sanderson; Kyle (Soyoung Lim) Ostgaard, Michael (Kari) Landuyt, and Michelle (Erik) Metcalf; 11 great grandchildren; sisterin- law Marita Reed of FL; and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Russell, 2 sisters, and 4 brothers.
