Goodland, Kansas resident Barbara N. Butts, age 87, passed away on Thursday, February 3rd, 2022. She was born on February 7th, 1934, in Stratton, Colorado. She was the daughter of Laurene and Kenneth Carl.  Barb met her husband, Neil Butts in 1951 and went on to marry in 1952 in Wray, Colorado.

Together, they became the caretakers of Smokey Gardens in 1959.  Her children and older grandchildren have cherished memories from their years at the Smokey.  Neil retired in 1991 and they moved to Goodland, KS.  Barb continued to work in the community. Sadly, Neil died in 1999 and Barb continued to be the matriarch of the family and a very important piece of raising all of her grandchildren.  Once her great-grandchildren were born, she became the ultimate GG.  She was so proud, loving, and fiercely protective of all of her family.   Barb moved into Topside Manor in 2017.  They quickly learned that she is a boss, the big boss.  They either loved her or were scared of her, no in-between.  You never had to guess what she was feeling or thinking, she made sure you knew, the good, the bad, and the ugly. She loved big but was very selective on whom she loved.  Lucky employees got one of her coveted muffins made by her son, the “Muffin Man.”  After the death of three of her five children, she lost some of her spark.  So many pieces of her heart were in heaven.  Barb’s death has been devastating for her family left on Earth, but know that her heaven family welcomed her with open arms. 

It will always be remembered that Barb lived her life with an unrivaled passion for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She was always the caretaker of the family, with a door wide open for all that needed it.

Barb is preceded in death by her husband, Neil Butts; sons, Troy Butts and Michael Butts; daughter, Patricia Mills; daughter-in-law, DeLora (Dee) Butts; grandson, Timothy Butts; and parents,  Kenneth and Laurene Carl.
She is survived by her sons, Rod Butts of Goodland, KS and Tony (Michelle) Butts of Colby KS; daughter-in-law, Pamela Butts of El Dorado, KS;  grandchildren, Summer (Joseph) Smith of Daphne, AL; Terra (Brandon) Niehoff of Shawnee, KS; Nathan Butts of Goodland, KS; Sara Butts of Alexandria, VA; Nick (Carlye) Casner of Nashville, TN; Johnathan Mills of Los Angeles, CA; Josh (Elliot Simerall) Mills of Seattle, WA; Jeremy (Jazmine Kim) Mills of Phoenix AZ; Hunter (Phoebe) Butts of Colby, KS; great-grandchildren, Jaden and Rylan Smith of Daphne, AL; Emma Osborne and Jace Niehoff of Shawnee, KS; Lennon & baby on the way Levi Butts of Colby, KS; Adryen, Liam, and Nathan Casner of Nashville, TN; Chandler and Chance Eaton of Hutchinson, KS; sister, Jeanie Smith of Topeka, KS and brother Monte Carl of Omaha, NE; and many nieces and nephews.

Information and online condolences www.batemanfuneral.com