Francella Butch
Francella Butch, 88, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor.
Francella Ann Heid was born on June 21, 1936, to Anton Jr. and Katie (Wingerter) Heid in Herreid, SD. She was raised on the family farm alongside seven siblings: Quenton, Pius, Rita, Dolores, Anna, Carolyn, and Kathleen, until the family moved to McLaughlin, SD, when Francella was in the third grade. She loved the farm and riding her horse Sally and was sad to leave it all. Growing up, they all learned to work hard and to take care of each other. Their bonds only grew stronger as the years carried on; Francella and her siblings talked often in adulthood and would get together as often as they could. She was not afraid of work and this characteristic carried on throughout her life in everything she did. She also loved the dresses her mother would sew her, they were very cherished. After moving, Francella went to country schools until attending high school in McLaughlin.
After graduating high school in 1954, Francella got a job at the McLaughlin Community Hospital as a Nurse’s Aide. She later decided to go on to the Pierre School of Practical Nursing and received her LPN Degree. Her first job after training took place in Gettysburg, SD, at the Gettysburg Memorial Hospital. She worked in Gettysburg for a few years, eventually meeting her husband, Thomas Butch, at a dance in February of 1956. Their love bloomed and Tom was quick to propose two months later, and they were married in August of 1956 in McLaughlin, SD. To this marriage, three children were born: Michael, Dean, and Janet.
Tom was stationed at the Gettysburg Air Force Base for some time and the couple moved to Pennsylvania after Tom was discharged from the Air Force. They later returned to Aberdeen, SD, and Francella started working at Avera St. Luke’s while Tom attended Northern State University. Francella worked at St. Luke’s as an Emergency Room Assistant and Evening Charge Nurse for 12 years, and then started working for Dr. Tom Bunker and Dr. Winston Odland at their Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic. Later, she worked for Dr. Matt Weekly. She was extremely proud and loved her nursing profession and worked for 42 years until her retirement in 1999.
Over her working years, Francella served as Vice President of the South Dakota LPN Association and President of the District 13 LPB Association. Getting her nursing degree and raising three beautiful children were her greatest accomplishments in life. She was very inspired that she could work while Tom could get his teaching degree at NSU. Francella was a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen and was involved in many different areas of the church. However, she was especially proud of her involvement with the Saint Angela club, and she assisted in any other places she was needed at the church. She was also a Cub Scout Den Mother and a member of the Elks and Teachers’ Wives Club. Francella was a dedicated, loving mother and wasn’t afraid to speak up or tell it how it was – all characteristics her husband and family will remember fondly.
In her free time, Francella enjoyed crafting, sewing, crocheting, doing ceramic work, embroidery, drawing, painting, gardening, singing, watching basketball, reading, playing cards, visiting family, and she especially loved attending her grandchildren’s sports and various activities. Her grandsons brought immense joy to her life. She would talk and ask about them all the time, wanting reports and updates on their well-being and especially enjoyed their phone calls and in person visits.
Grateful for having shared Francella’s life are her husband of almost 69 years, Tom Butch; sons, Michael Butch and Dean Butch; daughter, Janet (Kendall) Hoellein; grandsons: Brendon (Gabby) Hoellein, Landon Hoellein, and Dawson Hoellein; sisters, Anna Marie Suker and Carolyn Slaughter; sisters-in-law, Vivian Heid and Shirley Heid; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Preceding Francella in death were her parents, Anton Jr. and Katie Heid; and siblings: Rita (Otto), Dolores (Edward), Quenton, Pius (Emmy Lou), and Kathleen (Dale); and brothers-in-law Bob Suker and Lonnie Slaughter.