Azalea Butka passed away peacefully April 26, 2013, at Big Sky Healthcare Community surrounded by her four daughters. Azalea was born on June 6, 1920, to Peter Prevost and Mabelle Michaud Prevost in Sidney, MT. She was the eighth of twelve children and the first to be born in a hospital.
Azalea grew up on a farm in Three Buttes, a small community outside of Sidney. She attended country school her first four years. In the winter months, she and her siblings made the two mile trip to school on a sled pulled by a mule. Azalea then attended Sidney schools, graduated from St. Thomas in Great Falls, and received her teacher’s certificate from the College of Great Falls in 1940. Azalea taught school at Elmdale Country School, grades one through eight.
On February 14, 1942, Azalea married Gerald Butka. They farmed near Enid. In 1943 their first daughter was born followed by twin daughters in 1949. After Gerald passed away in 1951, Azalea moved to Sidney. A fourth daughter was born in 1957 from a second marriage. Azalea moved to Helena in 1999 to be closer to family.
Azalea enjoyed gardening, crafts, playing cards, bowling, golf and keeping a nice home including beautiful flowers in her yard. Azalea was a wonderful seamstress and could create something out of any piece of material. She enjoyed her children’s activities and was always ready to travel where ever those activities took place. Azalea was very involved in St. Matthew’s Parish in Sidney. Her advice to younger people was to stay faithful to your Church and be honest. Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with people, especially her family; her daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, siblings and many nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her daughters, Elaine (Don) Hurd, and Peggy (Bill) Roberts of Helena, Patty (Mike) Schuldt of Henderson, Nevada, and Anita (Tim Richard) Christensen of San Jose, California; two sisters, Jeannette Larson and Joann (Ed) Conlin; 14 grandchildren, Joan (Curt) Miller, Kathleen (Saurabh) Jain, Tricia (Vance) Armstrong, Susan (Terry) Anderson, Mary Beth (Aaron) Carter, Colleen (Larry) Sanders, Amy (Denny) Braun, Ann Marie (Curt) Swenson, Liz (Mathew) Mogstad, Katie Roberts, Amy Johnson, Karen (Derek) Guske, Michael Schuldt and John Schuldt. She is also survived by 27 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandson; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Mabelle Prevost; her husband, Gerald Butka; three brothers, Ulric, George, and Paul Prevost; six sisters, Regina Corkran, Cecelia Kreis, Odile Pintz, Stella McCormick, Alice Brown, and Helene Murray; sister-in-law, Helen Butka Sickman; and a great-grandson, Drew Armstrong.
Azalea was a loving, kind, and generous person; always there for those who needed her. She will forever be in our hearts as a loving mother and grandmother.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Matthew’s Parish, 310 7th Street, Sidney, MT. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at The Cathedral of St. Helena. A reception will follow the Mass in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral. Graveside services will be held in Sidney at a later date. To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Azalea, please visit below.
Angie Lang says
It was with great interest and a heavy heart that I read this. I’ve never met Azalea but it appears that her late husband Gerald was a first cousin to my grandmother, Alice Butka Selby. I have lived in Helena for 12 years and I am saddened to learn that I have lived this close to family without ever meeting them. My sincerest condolences to your family.
Lori Norby says
Dear Anita and family,
I am very sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I always considered her a very classy lady.
Thinking of you.
DelRae Steinbeisser says
I am so sad to hear of Azalea’s death. I loved visiting with her when she would come to Pizza House for dinner. She was just the sweetest person you would ever want to know. We would visit about Helene and her family as well. What a dear, dear woman. I have thought of her and Helene often over the years. Heaven just got a little bit sunnier with her presence. I count myself lucky to have known her……..
Mike Cerkovnik says
Dear Patty and Peggy,
My mom called today after seeing the obituary in the Herald and let me know that your mom passed away . I felt a twinge in my heart and saddness. I immediately thought of her and you two and fond memories of St Phil’s/St Matt’s/SJHS/SSHS.
I remember everyone always liked your mother and felt good around her. She was supportive and welcoming to everyone and it was evident that she dearly loved all her girls. She will be missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.
My deepest sympathy and condolences to you and the entire family.
You are in my prayers.
Toni Maltese Flaherty says
Patty and Peggy,
I recently found out about your Mom’s passing. She was a great friend to my Mother and I have many fond memories of their friendship and how much the meant to each other. Your Mother was a warm, caring and thoughtful person. I am always reminded of her gentle smile when I think of her.
My prayers and thoughts to you and the rest of your family.
Toni