Ruth and Don Butler

Ruth Kriesten Butler 3-5-1940 to 7-14-2023

Donald Wayne Butler 2-25-1935 to 7-14-2023

On July 14, 2023, Ruth Kriesten Butler and her husband Donald Wayne Butler, passed away peacefully in the home they built together in Keithville, Louisiana.  Donald passed within the hour after his dear wife of nearly 63 years.

Ruth was born in Goppengen, Germany, to Otto Max and Gertrud Klara (Urban) Kriesten.  She was the youngest of 4 children.  She met Donald in Germany during his military service and came to the USA in 1960 to marry him.   She was very proud to have earned her citizenship in 1966.  She retired from AT&T after 35 years of service and continued her friendships with many of her coworkers.  

Donald was born in Brady, Texas, to Clyde H. Butler and Merry Alice (Horton) Butler.  In 1960, after his service in the U. S. Army, he and Ruth were married in Brady, Texas.   He retired from the Northwest Louisiana Carpenters Union in 1997.

Utilizing their talents, Don and Ruth designed and built their dream home and moved into it in 1978, where they lived until their passing.  During their retirement, Grandma Ruthel and Papa Don cherished time with family, attending grandchildren's school and sports events from kindergarten through college, as well as traveling.  Ruth collected china and crystal and many other treasures to fill their shop in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where they met and befriended many special people.  She was a volunteer with the Pillow Ministry at Grawood Baptist Church. They loved The Shreveport Symphony and The Shreveport Opera and attended regularly.  Don was a master gardener and Ruth had quite the green thumb.  Together they enjoyed working in their garden at home, as well as his occasional work with the Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners and both of them volunteering at the American Rose Center.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Werner Kriesten, and her sister, Gisela Fischer and is survived by her sister, Barbel Kriesten (Victor) Jaufmann.  Don was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his sister, Paulette Bryant. 

Don and Ruth are survived by their daughters, Evelyn (David) Valladolid and Tana (Kurt) Nelson; their grandchildren, Garrett (Ashley) Nelson, Scott (Erin) Funk, Jaime (Pat) Oxholm, Adam (Kirsten) Funk, Nathaniel (Brittany) Funk, David (Kenzie) Valladolid, Kendall (Bryan) Gibbs, Kriesten Funk; great-grandchildren Ryleigh, Emerson, Cora, Hazel, Grant, Patrick, Valerie, Rowan, Murphy, Gracey Mae, Vivian, Remy, Rhett, and Lila; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. David Abdehou, Dr. Tyler Lash, Dr. Wen Liu, the nursing staff at Willis Knighton Pierremont, and the staff of Gentiva Hospice.

A memorial service to honor Ruth and Don's life will be held at a later date.