Anne Elizabeth Butz
November 22, 1961 ~ October 4, 2025
Anne Elizabeth Butz, 63, Sioux Falls, passed away surrounded by loving family on October 4, 2025, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. After a long struggle with Alzheimer’s, she was at peace.
Anne was insistent that her passing (being released from Alzheimer’s) be celebrated, not mourned. Anne’s family invites you to an informal celebration of Anne’s life at Look’s Marketplace on Saturday, October 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions would be most appropriate for the SD Alzheimer’s Association, Ceili Cottage in Sioux Falls, or Day Break Adult Day Services in Sioux Falls.
Anne Elizabeth Frost was born November 22, 1961, with her twin sister, Beth, at Sioux Valley Hospital to Ernest and Lorraine Frost. The home of the Frost family in Colton on that day was excited with the announcement of “15 pounds of girl.” The switchboard operator was busy!!
Anne attended schools in Huron, Clark, and Sioux Falls, SD. She graduated from Washington High School where she was active in music and drama. Anne participated in band, choir, and the musical Showboat. Her love of music continued throughout her life. In May 1984, Anne graduated from SDSU with honors from the nursing program. She passed her nursing boards with one of the highest scores in the state.
On September 8, 1984, Anne married Richard Butz. They first met at Washington High when Anne and her tuba sat behind this cute boy in the band, and they later reconnected during college. Sioux Falls was their home, except for two years in Dell Rapids, and two years in Hilo, Hawaii. They were blessed with two sons; Gregory was born in 1987, and Eric came along in 1989.
Maternal-Child Health was Anne’s nursing specialty. She worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, high-risk OB, postpartum, and labor and delivery. Anne excelled in her nursing career in Hawaii, also—delivering babies when the doctor was late, or being asked to start IVs for challenging newborns. Anne especially loved babies and toddlers, and they loved her too. She often created fun, educational activities for those in her care.
Anne was an accomplished, respected nurse, but her greatest passion was being the mother of her two boys. She loved helping the boys in any way she could—school volunteer, soccer mom, driving Eric to horse riding events, helping Greg obtain his private pilot’s license. She enjoyed making personalized scrapbooks for family trips and events.
Anne was a woman of many talents and interests. As a woman of faith, she was a kind, compassionate, and giving person. She and Methodist Minister Darrell Leach, started “The Haven,” an after-school childcare in Dell Rapids in 1997, a program that has expanded and continues today. She adored and spoiled her pets. Her favorite part of life was being with family. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was very witty especially when injecting original puns into a conversation. She loved to laugh and be silly. She always made the room more fun and entertaining, Anne loved creating and crafting and had an eye for decorating. And she loved to shop!
Anne is survived by her husband, Richard; sons, Gregory and Eric (Samantha); sisters, Kathy (Phil) Zabell, Lisa (Rob) McGraw, Beth (Phil) Taubert; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Anne in death were her parents, Ernest and Lorraine; her sister, Jackie; and her brother; David.
I had the privilege of caring for Anne at Ceili Cottage. When Anne first attended Ceili she and I would have some great talks. Anne was very open and honest and would tell me that she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and then she would say “I’m not afraid, because I know that I am going to be in heaven some day.” As a believer myself, I felt so blessed that Anne would share this with me. I would often say back to her “we will be up there together someday”. Anne would break out into a big smile. From the very beginning I felt like we had a special bond and I truly enjoyed caring for her. She had a great silly sense of humor. She loved telling the story of baby A and baby B – Anne and Beth the twins! My deepest sympathy goes out to Richard and your sons, and all her siblings. She was really a special person and all the staff at Ceili is so thankful you shared her with us❤️ The last time I saw Anne, I hugged her and told her I loved her and that I’d see her again one day. Enjoy heaven Anne!
The alzheimers taking Anne so early in life is a tragedy I will never get over. I dont know why things happen the way they happen. But I hope Rich, Greg, Eric, Beth and the whole family can find peace after her passing. You will see the old Anne again, im sure of it!
Rich and family, so very sorry for your loss. Even though it has been a long time since I have seen Anne, I’ve always remembered her smile, her friendliness, and her sense of humor. My deepest sympathy to all of you as you navigate this journey of grief.
Anne was such a lovely woman. So kind and gentle. Whenever I saw her she was smiling. And yes she was silly and witty. She was taken by a merciless disease. Rest in peace Anne.
I used to sit with Anne in the bleachers as we watched our boys, Greg and Alex, play basketball. She told me a lot about living in Hawaii. They were such an adventurous family. I really liked Anne. One spring break, the Butz family invited my son to go with them snowboarding in Montana. Greg and my son were trying to get some “air” and my son was injured pretty seriously. But Anne and Dick were there. Because Anne was a nurse, I took great comfort in that she was there. Thank you, Anne, for what you did for my son and for being who you were.