Helen Marie (Hawthorne) Butler

Helen Marie (Hawthorne) Butler, formerly of La Grande, Oregon passed away, Monday, June 23, 2025 at her home in Vancouver, Washington at the age of 97.Helen was born on February 18, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, an only child of father Edward Manuel, and mother, Lola Stewart. She was raised and educated in St. Louis, Mo, where she graduated with the high school class of 1946. 

After high school she was married to Ilee Rhimes and had five children, three girls and two boys. Helen eventually went on to Marry JC Hawthorne in LaGrande, OR. While married to JC, she had six more children, all boys. The six boys were raised in La Grande, Oregon. They were married 18 years before they divorced in 1975. In 1991 she was married to Willie Butler in La Grande, Oregon. They had many happy years together before his death on Dec 1, 1998. 

Helen was a devoted member of the Church. She loved playing the piano, singing, tap-dancing, painting, doing word puzzles, and hanging with the kids. Mostly she loved life and people. People who knew her, describe her as hard working, kind, optimistic and very pleasant to be around. She was very loved by her family and friends. Her children loved taking care of her, especially in her later years. 

Helen was proceeded in death by her daughter Mary Minger. She is survived by her 10 children. (Josephine Thomas of Highland, Ca), (Ilee Rhimes the 3rd of St. Louis, Mo), (Elbert Rhimes of St. Louis, Mo), (Diane Gray of Houston, Tx), (Johnny Hawthorne of Denver Co), Lenroe Hawthorne of San Antonio, Tx), (Edward Hawthorne of Henderson, Nv), (Clarence Hawthorne of Chattanooga, Tenn), (Rodney Hawthorne of Vancouver, Wa), and (James Hawthorne of Vancouver, Wa).Helen leaves 23 grandchildren and several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 29, at 3:00pm at

Evergreen Memorial Gardens

1101 NE 112th,

Vancouver, Wa. 98684

A graveside Service will be held Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.

Island City Cemetery 11003 South McAlister Road

Island City, Oregon 97850