Elinor Ida (Johnson) Butcher

1/10/1933-8/14/2018

Elinor was born in San Francisco to Gunnar and Ida Johnson, a Swedish immigrant and the daughter of Norwegian immigrants. She grew up in Tacoma and Yakima, WA where she graduated from Highland High School and completed nurse's training at Tacoma General Hospital. She met Walt at her cousin Phyllis' wedding and after a courtship via letters, while Walt was stationed in Japan, they were married December 20, 1958. After short stays in Ames, IA and the Washington DC area, they settled in Pullman, WA where they raised their family.

Elinor loved sports, music and travel. In high school in the 40's she played the only sports available to girls – tennis and half-court basketball. Later she participated in league bowling and was an all-star pitcher in the women's slow pitch softball league playing into her early 60's. She was also an avid sports fan cheering on the Cougars, Mariners and Seahawks. She had a beautiful singing voice and began singing in church as a young child. She sang in high school choir, the Washington Idaho Symphony chorale and was often called on to provide special music at the churches she attended. She was always eager to travel to experience new cultures, see beautiful places and visit family and friends. She returned as often as she could to two of her favorites, the Oregon coast and the tulip fields of Mt. Vernon, WA. She was a skilled photographer and turned her images into beautiful notecards.

Family and friends filled Elinor's life. She made us all feel loved and uniquely cherished. She was a staunch supporter of her family in whatever they were doing from school activities, sports, education and travel. She remembered hundreds with birthday cards, letters and an annual Christmas letter. She was known for her gift of hospitality and her sense of humor and their home was often full of people, good food and laughter. She provided a home cooked Sunday dinner for thousands of hungry college students over the years. She and Walt were host family to many international students. She taught conversational English and helped the wives of international students adjust to life in the US.

Elinor came to love and follow Jesus at an early age. She experienced the love of Christ throughout her life and shared His love through her hospitality and support of missions. She supported missionaries financially, through prayer and regular correspondence.

Throughout her life, even in the later years when she faced a never-ending series of medical issues, Elinor lived her life with a smile, a twinkle in her eye and a wonderful sense of humor. Her legacy lives on in her husband Walt; daughter Lori (Steve) Howard and their daughters Emily and Kate; daughter Susan (Brian) Adami and their daughters Laurel (Ethan) Rehkopf, and Meryn; son David and his daughter Becca; sister Karin Shough, brother Charlie (Linda) Johnson; cousin Phyllis (Ken) Farner, who was like a sister to her; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of Elinor's life will be held Saturday August 25, 1pm at the Evangelical Free Church of the Palouse. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the following charities which Elinor supported:  The Fistula Foundation, SIM Ethiopia, or Christian Veterinary Mission.  The viewing will take place from 1 PM to 5 PM at Kimball Funeral Home, Pullman, WA on Friday, August 24 ^th .