Mahonri Butterfield

“Keep an Attitude of Gratitude”

Truss died Sept 28, 2012. He was born Sept 12, 1921 in Riverton, Utah. He was the first son of Mahonri and Hazel Bills Butterfield. He graduated from Jordan High in 1939. Dad worked for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle and served in WWII. He married Florence Louise Holley June 1947 in the Salt Lake Temple. She died Feb 5, 1951. They had one son, Gary. He married Mary Louise Hawkins Bateman Aug 1, 1955. Together with Mary Lou’s daughter Kayleen, they moved to Logan in 1957. He graduated from USU in 1960. They lived in Logan until 1991, when they moved to Fruit Heights, UT to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Mary Lou passed away in 2008.
In 2009 Dad was named the “Unsung Hero” in Fruit Heights. He was nominated by his neighbors because of his unselfish acts of service. He loved serving others and even in his 80’s could be found outside on a snowy day racing with neighbors to see who could clear the most snow.
Truss was a faithful member of the LDS church. He served in many callings in the church. He and Mary Lou served in the Logan and Ogden Temples and had the opportunity to help open the Bountiful Temple.
Truss taught English at the Logan Junior High for many years. He loved teaching and loved his students. He is remembered by many of his students as one of the best teachers they ever had.
Truss adopted and lived by the motto “Keep an Attitude of Gratitude”. In his later years he enjoyed spreading that message to all he met.
Survived by children: Gary (Sylvia), Seattle, WA; Kayleen Bateman Scoville, Syracuse, UT; DeAnn Oliekan (Granger), Kaysville, UT; Blair (Susan), Gilbert, AZ; Layne (Donna), Fruit Heights, UT; 19 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. Sister and brothers, Edra (Jack) West, Paul (Beth) Butterfield, Neil (Dorothy) Butterfield, George and Lorraine Hawkins. He was preceded in death by wives, Louise and Mary Lou, parents and sisters, Ellen, Essie, Leone, Verda, and a son-in-law, Dwight S. Scoville.
A viewing will be held Thursday Oct 4, 2012 at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 1941 N. Main, Farmington, UT (across the street from Cherry Hills Water Park) from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held Friday Oct 5 at the Fruit Heights Orchard Drive Chapel (77 S. Orchard Drive (1325 E.), Fruit Heights, UT 84037. Viewing: 9:30-10:45 am and Funeral: 11:00 am. Graveside services will be at the Logan Cemetery at 2:30 pm.
Our family would like to thank the staff at Legacy Village of Layton, Tender Care Hospice and Curo Hospice for the kind and loving way they cared for our father. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund.