Doreen (Renshaw) Butz

Doreen Marion Renshaw was born on February 1, 1924 near Newcastle, Wyoming, the second child of Martha (Stanton) and Charles Renshaw. Times were hard and her father had to work where he could find it. When Doreen was 10, her parents heard of work in northern Idaho, so they loaded up the car and a trailer and moved the family to the small town of Plummer. Doreen’s mom was so glad to be out of the dust bowl and where there were fruit and berries to pick and she could raise a garden.

Doreen graduated from Plummer high school in 1942. During her time at school she had met Kenneth Butz, and they were married in May 1942. The couple moved to Bremerton, Washington where their first child, Marilyn, was born in March 1943. Later that same year, Ken contracted polio and spent the next year in the hospital. During that year Doreen went to work for Boeing as a rivet bucker helping to build B-17s. She even got to write her name on a wing of the celebrated 5,000th B-17! It was the largest one, easily seen in pictures.

After a year of care and rehabilitation, Ken was released from the hospital unable to use his legs. Though it was hard for him to find work at first, he persevered and finally had a long career working for an electronics firm. Four more children were added to the family: Kathleen “Kathie” in 1945; Brian in 1947; Wayne in 1950 and Martha in 1955. In 1954, they were able to buy an older house in Rainier Valley, which became their “forever house”.

In 1957 Doreen’s and Ken’s lives were changed when they accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Their witness to the power and love of God was an influence on many, especially the high school youth Doreen and Ken led for many years. Doreen loved Bible Study Fellowship and was involved in it for many years. She also taught Sunday School at various levels, especially enjoying the adult classes. She studied faithfully to convey the truth of God’s Word.

As the children grew older, Doreen became a home daycare provider, acting as a loving caregiver to many children, some of whom have kept in touch over the years.

Doreen loved words. A visit to Mom’s would often involve the playing of a word game after supper. She wrote many poems, often spoofs on songs, for celebrations of people’s lives or transitions, and for Christmas. Many of her siblings and friends got poems for anniversaries, graduations, etc. She also wrote and produced plays and skits for the church Youth Group.

In 2011 it became necessary for Ken to enter a care center. Doreen visited him regularly and didn’t mind at all living alone. As time went on, she began to be less able to manage on her own, and in 2019 it was time for her to also be in the care center. She and Ken were able to see each other regularly. In May of 2022 they celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary together shortly before Ken’s passing in June of 2022.

Doreen was predeceased by her husband Kenneth and her son Wayne, as well as all of her siblings. Left to lovingly remember her, are her children: Marilyn (Joel) Hume, Kathie (Bill) Rus, Brian (Danielle) Butz, and Martha (Stanley) Hanna. Grandchildren: Melinda (Paul) Drewer, Devon (Kim Synow) Hume, Stacie (Kevin) Pattison; Travis (Leslie) Rus, Ryan Rus, Curtis Rus, Gideon Garcia, Sarah McAlpin, Susannah (Bill) Vetter, Galen Hanna, Blaine Hanna, Morgan (Dan) Wilson, and Garrett Hanna. Great-grandchildren: Fox Hume, Ivy Hume, Madison Rus, Joshua Rus, Caroline Rus, Camden Rus, Owen Rus, Sophia Garcia, Ethan McAlpin, Dylan McAlpin, Valencia Vetter, Amalea Vetter, Cyril Vetter, Paul Wilson, Jill Wilson, Sarah Wilson.

The family would like to express our thanks to the staff of Washington Care Center for their care of our mother.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 13, at Rainier Avenue Church, 5900 Rainier Ave S., Seattle.