Marva Johnson Buttars

Marva Johnson Buttars, 88, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on September 29, 2009 in Lewiston, Utah. She was born June 12, 1921 in Richmond, Utah to George Henry Johnson and Mary Ann Smith.
She grew up in Lewiston where she attended school through the eighth grade. She graduated from North Cache High School in 1939. While in school, she particularly enjoyed studying art. Marva worked as a telephone operator in Lewiston and for Sears and Roebuck in Aberdeen, Washington. She married Wendell D. Buttars on June 12, 1945 in the Logan LDS Temple. They made their home in Lewiston and established Butter-Dell Holsteins. Marva had a great interest in the farm and showing registered cows. They had been married 28 years when Wendell passed away in 1973. For thirteen years, she lived in Richmond where she made many new friends. For the past 12 years, she has lived in the family home in Lewiston.
Marva served in many auxiliaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a special fondness for the Relief Society organization where she served as President. During her life, Marva battled numerous health issues, which could have left her dependent on others. However, her determined optimism gave her strength to battle back, allowing her to stay in her home with the help of her daughter Sharee. Sharee was the angel God sent to lift her burdens the past two years. Her life was filled with caring and sharing that brought her great joy and a will for life that carried her through many trials.
Marva enjoyed working with her hands to create beautiful gifts. She quilted, crocheted, knitted, embroidered, and painted. Her children and grandchildren were the beneficiaries of many of these treasured handicrafts.
Marva is survived by her four children: Marcia Eric Mattson of Paris, Idaho; Sharee Hillyard; D Kent Robyn Buttars and Craig W Shara Buttars of Lewiston; 21 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, many of whom affectionately called her Grandma Sweetie.
Her husband, parents, sister, Erma Mather, and her brother, Herman Johnson preceded her in death.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 5, 2009 at the Lewiston 2nd Ward Chapel, 10 South 1600 West under the direction of Bishop D Kent Buttars. Friends may call at Nelson Funeral Home, 85 South Main, Smithfield on Sunday, October 4, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Monday at the Chapel from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to the funeral. The family expresses their gratitude to Dr. Russell N. Hirst and the staff of Alpine Home Care and Hospice for their kind and loving care through her many health challenges.
Interment will be in the Lewiston City Cemetery. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .