ALETHA LORRAINE BUTLER CHASE

Aletha Lorraine Butler Chase was born on the family homestead southwest of Limon in 1932. She passed away Sept. 11, 2022 in Bellingham, Wash. Lorraine was the fourth child born to Daniel and Alice (Moser) Butler. As the baby girl of the family, she enjoyed being spoiled by everyone for a couple of years until her brother Rickey was born, followed by another five siblings that I’m sure caused her much grief. Lorraine attended school at the Lincoln School southeast of Matheson. When the family moved to Limon in 1946, she attended the Limon School. Lorraine met and married a Kansas rancher, Jack Chase when she was 17, possibly happy to escape the demanding brothers and sisters she helped take care of. She and Jack moved to his family ranch close to Council Grove, Kansas. She lived a happy life, helping on the ranch, taking care of the cattle and raising their two children, Jackie Mignon, and Lyman Daniel. Jack went into the irrigation business, selling irrigation equipment. The job required moving often, taking the family to Texas, Colorado and back to Kansas. After the children were grown, Lorraine started waitressing at several prominent places, but her favorite was the Holladome in Kansas City. She and Jack were divorced around this time.

Lorraine always made time to come to Colorado to see her Mom and Dad and ornery siblings, but by then, she looked forward to it! When her two children settled in Washington State she went there and made her home as well as a name for herself, singing with bands in the Bellingham, Wash. area and making lots of friends along the way. She loved getting dressed up (and always wore her stilettos) no matter what. She still insisted on wearing her high heels when she was 90, and she could wear them with class! Lorraine was a member of the American Legion, VFW and the Eagles. Her family was always so proud of her and would take her to sing when she couldn’t drive due to her health. Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents; her children’s father, Jack; her son Lyman (L.D.) and granddaughter Elizabeth Chase; sisters, Willma Olesen, Charlotte Smiley, Carole Coakley and Connie Lyle; brothers, Cecil Butler and Rickey Butler. She is survived by her daughter Jackie Bailey, grandchildren, Angel, Kerry, Kyle, Alexandra and Jacob, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. Sister, Joan (Dan) Doll, Eddie Butler and Brad (Barbara) Butler. Many nieces and nephews, and the family of friends she met along the way, especially her best friend, Linda Sweeney and all her family in Kansas City. Lorraine had great faith and knew she’d see her heavenly family again one day! She was cremated and her ashes will be scattered in a place of her choosing next summer.