Vesta Ilene Butler

Vesta Ilene Butler of Dolores passed away Friday evening, November 27, 2020, at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, CO. She was 89.
Vesta was born to Elree and Noble Chasten in Ellington, Missouri on November 4, 1931. She was a long-time resident of the Montezuma County area, moving there in the mid-1930’s from Missouri as a young girl with her family. She went to school in the old Beulah Schoolhouse outside of Cortez, then to Cortez Junior High and High School.
Vesta married Wayne Weaver in 1948. On June 27, 1960, Vesta married Wilbur Butler at the home of his sister Jane and her husband Jay Novack in Naturita, Colorado.
Vesta enjoyed gardening and took great pride in manicuring her yard and landscape around her home. The daughter of a country preacher, Vesta’s faith was the central focus in her life. Vesta was a founding member of the Baptist Chapel, Summit Ridge Baptist Church, and Lighthouse Baptist Church, and faithfully served those church communities for over 60 years. She loved to read, loved listening to gospel music and singing in the church choir, but most of all loved her grandchildren.
Vesta is survived by her daughter, Donna Miller of Dolores, CO; her son, Bill Butler of Petaluma, CA; her grandson, Barrett Gerdes of Gilbert, AZ; her granddaughters, Kelsey Butler of Petaluma, CA, and Cassidy (Butler) Simmons of Redmond, WA; her great grandchildren, Peter and Evelyn Gerdes of Gilbert, AZ; her brothers, Lendell Chasten of Montrose, CO, Paul Chasten and Doug Chasten of Joplin, MO; and her sister, Sharon Southwick of Arnold, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Wilbur T. “Dopey” Butler in 1999.
Vesta will be missed by family, friends, and her church community alike.