Claudia Butler
August 5, 1938 – February 27, 2026
Claudia Butler passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026, with her husband Dan holding her hand and surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Dan, her children Tim, Liam (Colleen), Robin (Kathy), Cathy (Eric), Kara, Matt (Jules) and Jenny (Kelly). 30 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Mom is now gloriously reunited with her son, Danny (Giselle) who passed in 1982. Claudia was born in Dryden, Ontario on August 5th, 1938, and was raised in Winnipeg, MB. She met Dan at age 15 and they got married on August 4th, 1956. They went on to have their large family and add to that the foster children she cared for in her home over the years. Dan and Claudia moved their (at the time) small family up to The Pas in 1961 and embraced northern living, participating in Trappers Festival, sled dog racing, hunting excursions, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
In the ’70s they built a cabin at Rocky Lake where they enjoyed many years of hosting family and friends for waterskiing and saunas. While raising her large family, Claudia still found the time to take night courses to earn her counseling certification and began work at the Friendship Centre, eventually moving on to Rosaire House and then Keewatin Community College.
During these years she formed lifelong friendships with her colleagues and deeply cared for the people she worked with. She retired at 55 and continued building churches with perogies, loving on grandbabies, and feeding the masses. She was exceptionally and unconditionally charitable, both in her formal volunteering and donations, and in her distinguishable way of inviting people into her home for food and friendship. Her love language was cooking, and you were blessed if you had the opportunity to sit at her table.
Her children were raised on moose meat, perogies and cinnamon buns and none were surprised to find their primarily breastfed baby gnawing on a deer bone when one’s back was turned. Claudia and Dan eventually moved from The Pas and ended up in Saskatoon, by way of Pinawa and Morden, where they could be closer to family. Her last years were spent being loved on by her children, grandchildren and great grandbabies (who were so lucky to know her).
She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and together Mom and Dad moved into Langham Care Home to be better supported. The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation for the staff in Langham, who not only cared for her in her final days, but also cared for our family.
A special thank you to Marilynne and Glen, who visit mom and dad every Sunday for prayer and holy communion. Honorary Pallbearers are Bob and Alice Spence and Cecelia Ross.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mark’s Parish in Langham, SK on Friday, March 6, 2026 at 11:00 am. Interment of ashes will take place at a later date.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM LINK OF THE FUNERAL MASS FOR THE LATE CLAUDIA BUTLER
(No password or login will be necessary. A copy of the live stream will also be available to view after the service at the link above. The copy will be available for approximately 6 months.)
Memorial donations can be made to L’Arche Winnipeg, 118 Regent Ave E, Winnipeg, MB, R2C 0C1.
Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.
17 Responses
Our dear Claudia was a wonderful person. What a vibrant, true believer and solid anchor she was to her family. She opened her doors to you whether it be on Rahl’s Island Road, Rocky Lake, Pinawa, Morden or Saskatoon. She took Fred to get his driver’s license, we cross country skied in The Pas and attended many February Festivals up North where we saw dog sledding races, jigging and eating bannock.
Years ago both she and I smoked and we would have a “smoke” in their bedroom thinking Dan would never smell it. How wrong we were!
So many years, so many memories!
Starting out as a tall, beautiful blonde, cooking for Dan and their family of eight never fazed her. Usually there were more at the table because she loved people.
Her participation in church solidified her strong beliefs. Heaven has gained a special person, we are left with wonderful memories. Thanks Claudia for being you. Our sincere sympathies , Dan, to you and your family.
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We are so sad to hear of Claudia’s passing. Dan and Claudia were our very dear friends over many years and we have wonderful memories of travelling to Canada to visit them several times. We also have great memories of their visits to us and the joy of sharing stories and memories of times we shared together. Our condolences to Dan and all the family on their sad loss, Angela and Bill Leahy.
I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Claudia. I got to know Claudia when she worked at KCC and became active in the MGEU where I was staff representative. She was always concerned about people particularly those who needed considerable supports. She loved the cottage at Rocky Lake and we would enjoy our walks from our cottage down to their’s for a quick visit. Rest in peace my friend. Love you
Miss you Claudia: you were a very special
sole that I enjoyed and cherished as a great friend. I always felt that you made a great councillor as you were a wonderful Mother to all your children and that shines through them. You gave and loved unconditionally my friend.
Blessings to you Dan and all your family.
Miss you Claudia: you were a wonderful sole to know as a friend. I always felt you made a great Councillor as you sure made a wonderful Mom and that shines through in them now. We had such terrific visits that I quite often remember, the cottage, Pinawa and Morden, lots of laughs. I will never forget your kindness,happiness and unconditional love you had.
Blessings to you Dan and your beautiful family.
Condolences to family, I remember growing up next door to the Butlers and the Rhal’s Island Rendevous taking place in the Butler basement! Sounds like Claudia had a wonderful life! RIP Claudia!
Claudia treated me like her own.
I was in my second home while growing up in The Pas and on Rahl’s Island with the whole family.
Thank you for this.
Rest now. Your work is done.
Thanks for your friendship over the years Claudia. May God keep you, Dan and the family safe in His care.
Dorothy, who passed away in 2024, and I had known the Butler family for many years. Our time ts neighbors at Rocky Lake created many lasting connections. Two particularly memorable experiences were our six‑week road trip to Alaska in 1996 and our journey through the Yukon in 1999. Combined with the many snowshoe excursions through the forest, these are memories that will not be forgotten.
It is with great sadness that we hear of Claudia’s passing. We are privileged to have known Claudia for her fun and warm personality. On spending time with her and Dan during our visit to Canada, where they made us so welcome, and also their visits to the uk, we greatly enjoyed their friendship. Claudia will be very much missed by Dan and their wonderful family, and we send to all of them our love and deepest sympathy.
On behalf of the Jones/Dornbush family we give our deepest condolences to the whole Butler family, especially to her loving husband Dan.
Claudia was such a special wonderful lady to our family.
We have many wonderful memories of her and Dan. Claudia would have had such a wonderful reunion in Heaven with her son, Danny! I am certain my own mother Sharon Jones would be waiting in Heaven with open arms to have her best friend join her!
We pray for comfort and strength for the whole family!
Mr and Mrs Butler were welcomed me to their home many times when I first set out on my own. Their kindness and support helped me to make sound decisions that resulted in me “doing OK” in life.
Thank you Mrs Butler. I hope you knew how many people you impacted. I never had the chance to thank you.
My condolences to the Butler family. I have many fond memories of you and the world is a better place because you carry a bit of your mother with you.
My deepest condolences to the entire family! Your mom of many hats was a remarkable woman, wife, mom, auntie, grandma, great-grandma! Your mom added to any situation as she jumped in to help anyone needing assistance of any kind. She had a remarkable way of brightening a room with her smile and a laugh that could lighten any situation.
I had the best chat with your parents at the beach at Clearwater a couple of years back, although I knew she didn’t know who I really was she remembered where I belonged! She reminisced a little about Rall’s (Rahl’s) Island and all the number of kids that played hard! So much fun was had between all of us kids at similar ages within a couple of miles of each other. We played after chores were done and be don’t be late for supper! Hard to imagine we were out on our own for hours but I’m sure the spidey senses and party-line phone allowed our parents to know where we were. The freedom to make our own decisions and survive! ❤️
Those truly were the days. My thoughts are with you and your entire family during this difficult time.
With sympathy, Patty Hayes
So many years lost and so little time to share with you and Dan to discover what truly wonderful people you were and are. Terry and I will truly miss you! All our love and condolences to Dan and the entire Butler and Holland families.
Rest in Peace
Greg and Terry Bulloch
I am deeply sorry to hear of Claudia’s passing. I send much love to Dan and all her family. Claudia was a very special cousin to me and taught me much from a young age when I spent a couple of summers in The Pas helping her with her first three children. She was a loving niece to my parents Jean and George De Jaeger in their final years. I so loved her stories, and particularly loved the tribute her kids read at the end of her service. I would love to have a copy. It captured her very special spirit and gift to us all. May she rest in peace, but live well in the hearts and lives of her beloved family. Sending love to all. Lorraine De Jaeger Powelson & Dennis Powelson
I miss my pretend Mom of 65 years of my life but Mt entire Jones and extended family were blessed with the time God gave our families together. She has Danny in her arms now. We love you and geee,thanks for putting up with the nonsense from me. That is truly the definition of a Mother
So sorry to hear about Claudia’s passing. She was a favourite cousin and I have many memories of visiting with her and Dan. A lasting one will be the game of Frisbeer which she introduced to us many years ago. We play this game every summer at the cabin. It is a favourite of our kids and grandkids.
Claudia touched many during her life, where ever they lived. She and Dan lived a good and long life together. This is confirmed by the many comments in her obituary and also the comments her family members and grandkids mentioned at the funeral. Rest in peace Claudia you will be in our memories forever. Our condolences to Dan and the entire family.
Lorne and Audrey DeJaeger