Fern Olga Butterfield, age 95 of Mitchell, SD died Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Mitchell, SD with burial at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday, February 5, 2016 at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Fern Olga Butterfield, daughter of August and Amanda (Blume) Bertram, was born October 9, 1920 in Douglas County, SD. She attended Rocky Ridge Country School in Douglas County. Fern graduated from Armour High School and then attended Notre Dame Junior College and Dakota Wesleyan University. Fern was a member of the band and orchestra, playing the trombone and violin.

Fern taught country school for four years in Douglas County. She also served as the leader of   4-H and Girls Cooking Program in Douglas County.

She was united in marriage with Wayne Burdett Butterfield on April 15, 1944 in Vermillion, SD. The couple made their home in Davison County. Fern babysat in her home for many years, taught Head Start, was an adult leader for Alateen and was a private tutor.

Fern was a member of the Mitchell Congregational UCC. She taught Sunday school and was a member of Women's Fellowship. Fern was the recipient of the 1999 Homemaker of the Year Award. Fern was also a member of the VFW Women's Auxiliary.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, James (Lois) Butterfield, Sioux Falls, SD; Barbara (Earl) Vandever, Mitchell, SD, Marcella (Kenny) Elkerton, Ft. Morgan, CO, Cheryl (Randy) Hein, Rapid City, SD, Peggy (Dick) Figland, Mitchell, SD, Wendy (David) Figland, Mitchell, SD; a daughter-in-law, Joy Butterfield, Bonners Ferry, ID; 19 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; a great great grandchild; a brother, Vermayne (Jean) Bertram, White Bear Lake, MN; two sisters-in-law, Mary Bertram, Woodinville, WA and Alice Bertram, Minneapolis, MN; several nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wayne; a son, Richard; a sister, Louise; and three brothers, August, Roesler and Francis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Placerville Youth Group Camper Fund in the Black Hills.