Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
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Penny Butler

July 21, 1944 - January 28, 2025
Portage, MI

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Visitation

Friday, February 7, 2025
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Where food, drinks, and stories will be shared.

A prayer service, song, and toast will take place at 7 PM.

Driving Directions

Mass

Saturday, February 8, 2025
11:00 AM EST
Live Stream
St. Thomas More Student Parish
421 Monroe St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49006

Visitation will begin one-hour before mass.
A luncheon will follow in the church hall after mass.

Map

BURIAL

Saturday, February 8, 2025
2:00 PM EST
Portage South Cemetery
10401 S. Westnedge Ave.
Portage, MI 49002

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Wounded Warrior Project
P.O. Box 758516
Topeka, KS 66675-8516
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Print

Penny Butler grew up in Rochester, MN. Her parents were Frank and Muriel (Lukkasson) Kummer. Frank grew up in Spring Valley, MN, where he was raised on a farm in the beautiful Bluff Country. A man of many roles, he was a grocer during the Great Depression, helping to support families in need, a bootlegger during Prohibition, and in 1931, he served as the Mayor of Spring Valley. Muriel’s ancestors hailed from Norway and immigrated to America in the mid-19th century, traveling by covered wagon to Minnesota.

Penny was born on July 21, 1944. Neither of her parents had received higher education, but they worked tirelessly to provide for her and instilled in her the values of resilience, integrity, and hard work.

Raised in the Lutheran faith, Penny attended Catholic school in Rochester, where she earned straight A’s—except in religion class. From a young age, she excelled in athletics, including tap dancing, gymnastics, ballet, acrobatics, and, of course, ice skating. To help support herself, she taught gymnastics and worked multiple jobs including being an RA while in school.

Penny earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in psychology from the University of Minnesota, working diligently to put herself through school. Driven by her deep curiosity and passion for helping others, Penny set her sights on becoming a physician. She applied to only one medical school—Mayo Clinic’s inaugural class. While awaiting the results of her application, she joined the Ice Follies as a professional figure skater, under the agreement that she would be released from her contract if she was accepted into medical school. During this time, she worked alongside some of the era’s most famous skaters, including Peggy Fleming. When Penny received her acceptance letter from the Mayo Clinic Medical School, she was proudly released from the Ice Follies to begin her medical training.

In November 1975, while a fourth-year medical student, Penny met her future husband, Charles, in the hospital cafeteria. Over lunch, he asked if she wanted to go flying. Penny thought he meant flying a kite—but to her surprise, Charles introduced her to the skies in his airplane. On their second date, Charles suggested they might get married. By the following March, on the first day of Spring, they were married, beginning a lifelong adventure together.

Penny joined Charles in the U.S. Air Force and became a pioneer among women in the military, rising to the rank of Captain and serving as a flight surgeon on the RF-4 Phantom. Together, Penny and Charles were the first married couple on flying status in the history of the U.S. Airforce and Air National Guard. They served with the 187/160th Reconnaissance Tactical Units based in Montgomery, AL. She received her honorable discharge in 1983.

More than anything, Penny was a devoted mother. She and Charles welcomed their three children—Charles, Erin, and Brendan—into their hearts and home, and she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to raising them. Penny instilled in them the importance of kindness, hard work, and a love for both music and ice skating. She wrote her own songs for them, weaving their names into the melodies to make them extra special, and she composed music for them to play together. The Butler family shared a love for music and skating, often attending the symphony and spending time on the ice. Penny was deeply involved in her children’s activities, guiding each of them toward their own passions.

Penny’s love for ice skating was passed down to her children, all of whom became skilled skaters—one even achieving the incredible feat of competing in the Olympics. She also ensured that each of her children became a capable musician, fostering a deep sense of musicality from the earliest age. Penny traveled the globe supporting her children, accompanying them to destinations including Japan, Ireland, England, Scotland, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Australia. No matter how far they went or how much time passed, Penny remained a constant source of love and support in their lives.

Penny was overjoyed to become a grandmother, and she cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren. Up until the pandemic, she dedicated one day each week to each of her then four grandchildren, playing with them, taking them to lessons and extracurricular activities, and simply being present in their lives. Watching her family grow was one of her greatest joys.

Never one to sit still for long, Penny had many passions. She was an avid reader and loved learning about different people, cultures, and geographies. She participated in a weekly Bible study group with her daughter. She particularly enjoyed playing her violin with the Kalamazoo Oratorio Society for their annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. She continued enriching her family’s lives through music and athletics, ensuring her grandchildren had opportunities for lessons and experiences. Penny and Charles were the cover feature in Encore Magazine in 1988 with an article titled The Butlers Did It!—a testament to the unique and vibrant life they built together.

Even in her final chapter, Penny remained a model of resilience and grace. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with advanced cancer, yet she faced the battle with remarkable strength and without complaint. Penny fought with quiet determination, surpassing every expectation, and continuing to be a source of love and encouragement to those around her. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of her family, on January 28, 2025.

She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Muriel (Lukkasson) Kummer. She is survived by her husband, Charles; her children: Charles (Megan) Butler, Erin (Dave) Thomas, Brendan (Caitlin) Butler; and her grandchildren: Mary Grace, Samantha, David, Hunter, Connor, James, and Bridget.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 7, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Mass will be celebrated Saturday, February 8, at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior, at St. Thomas More Student Parish (livestream will begin five minutes before the service at www.facebook.com/sttomskazoo/videos). A luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. Penny will be laid to rest at Portage South Cemetery at 2 PM.

In honor of Penny’s life, friends and family are invited to share their stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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