Another of the Greatest Generation has went on to heaven. Lyla S. Butler passed away on Saturday, January 5, 2019. Lyla was born in North Dakota, on August 27, 1923, to Andrew and Selma Luoma, who immigrated from Finland. Lyla was raised on the family farm, near Fredrick, South Dakota.
During the Great Depression at the age of 16, she went with a car load of others and traveled to California, looking for work.She began doing live-in housework. When World War II began, she became a “Rosie Riviter” working in War Factories. During this time she began writing to her sister's brother-in-law, Clarence Butler, who was fighting in the Phillipines. In February, 1945, he was badly wounded and brought to the Army Hospital in San Francisco, Ca. where they finally met. He was released and discharged in September, 1945, they were married on September, 1945, and came back to his farm, in Missouri.
On October 28, 1946, their son Maurice, was born. They began Dairy Farming and Lyla did most of the milking for nearly 40 years. In retirement, she enjoyed walking, sight seeing and Saturday night dancing, especially Polka music that she grew up with.
Lyla was preceded in death by her parents, sisters: Marie and Sylvia, brothers: Victor, Wayne, Bernerd, Edgar, and Ervin, her husband, Clarence and her friend Larry Cummins.
Lyla is survived by her son Maurice Butler (Nancy) and brother John Luoma, of Aberdeen, S.D. her grandchildren: Ramey (Pam), Diana Saylor (Scott) and Andy, as well as Nancy's daughters: Denna Baker (Bill), Jennifer Hoover (James) and Christy Lejune (Keith). She has 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Lyla also had a special bond with her great-grand-daughter, Samantha Saylor, who was the light of her life. The family would also like to thank Webco Manor for their kindness and loving care.
A visitation is planned for 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening January 8, 2019, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Private family burial at Bass Chapel Cemetery will be held at a later date.