Margaret Ann "Moggie" Butcher

Margaret Ann “Moggie” Butcher was born on July 24, 1939, in Wendell, Idaho to Evelyn (Brady) and Orville Jensen. She passed away peacefully on July 19, 2023, surrounded by the love of her family. Moggie was the daughter of a nurse and a surveyor, and she remembered her father being gone to serve in WWII. She went to school in Jerome, ID graduating in 1957. It was during her time at school in Jerome that she met the love of her life in Algebra class. Jerry was a year older, and as she told it, he was much better at math than she was! Their love story is truly one for the books. Married on June 4, 1960, at the Chapel of Transfiguration in Moose, Wyoming, Jerry and Moggie recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. They welcomed their four children and supported and encouraged their involvement in athletics, activities, and music.

After high school, Moggie attended Cottey College and graduated from Idaho State University. Moggie’s career was centered around serving others, as a teacher, licensed addiction counselor, and school counselor. She was passionate about helping people, whether it was as a swim lesson instructor or sending cards or donating money to a cause she supported. In the early years of marriage, Jerry and Moggie moved around quite often following Jerry’s career as an administrator at several State of Montana institutions and nursing home locations. They lived in California, Deer Lodge, Boulder, Glendive, Lewistown, and Butte before settling down in their later years where they shared time between Great Falls and their cabin at Gates of the Mountains. Gram savored the simple pleasures in life, the beauty of the scenery outside, fresh fruit or flowers from the farmer’s market, learning the history of a ghost town, a beautiful day at the cabin, marveling at a geologic landform, hooking a big fish - and then letting it go, reading a story to one of her grandchildren, kayaking on the Missouri, making quilts and completing other sewing projects, challenging herself with the daily crossword, or shooting the moon in a competitive game of hearts. The list is truly endless, and she taught us to enjoy the little things as well as to have curiosity about the world around us. Gram wanted her children and grandchildren to stand on their own two feet and didn’t have much patience for a “milquetoast.” Education was of the utmost importance to Moggie, and she encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue their goals. She appreciated people’s unique gifts and accepted people, while being passionate about politics, the environment, and social justice issues.

Although Moggie leaves us in a physical sense, what our Mom/Grammie/Gramser really leaves is the legacy of her family. She showed in her words and actions that family was everything to her. Whether it be a phone call to check in on a kid or grandkid, sitting in the stands supporting yet another athletic event or band concert, a thoughtful gift she just knew you needed for your kitchen, or orchestrating countless huge family meals, she was the most supportive wife, mother, and grandmother and truly the matriarch of our family. For the last 15 years, she made each family member the most beautiful, soft flannel pillowcases, with fabric chosen for that person. She also made each of her grandchildren a beloved quilt or “Grammie blanket.” We will treasure these special gifts forever.

Her family legacy includes her devoted and loving husband, Jerry; children, Brian (Gwynne) Butcher, Lyn McKinney, Beth Thomas, Jason (Marci) Butcher; grandchildren, Brittany (Cory) Light, Zach (Kaley) Deffinbaugh, Ben (Jenny) Butcher, Rachel (Dave) McKinney, Matt (Nikki) Butcher, Andy (Shelbie) Butcher, Liz Thomas, and Sam Butcher. She also leaves her 7 great-grandchildren, Alicia, Elvis, Piper, and Brantson Light, and Grace, Gabe, and Johnathan Deffinbaugh. She also graciously welcomed a step-son, Gary (Jackie) Insch, and their family into the family.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. The service will be held at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel located at 1510 13th Street South in Great Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to MEIC “Montana Environmental Information Center” at (107 W Lawrence St, Helena, MT 59601); Great Falls Public Schools Foundation at (1100 4th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405) or the Montana Youth Diabetes Alliance MYDA (P.O. Box 104, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.)