Shirley J. Butterfield

Shirley Joan Fisher Butterfield, 72, passed away Monday, July 12, 2021 at her home. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, July 15, 2021 at McLaren’s with burial following at Resthaven Cemetery.

Shirley Joan Fisher Butterfield was born on April 10, 1949 in Albion, Nebraska to Melvin and Irene Fisher. She attended Albion Public Schools and graduated in 1967. Shirley’s dream was to attend college. Through scholarships, she attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska and graduated in 1971 with honors, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She was a member of Beta Beta Beta National Biology Honor Society, Phi Gamma Mu International Honor Society, and Psi Chi International Honor Society, of which she was elected President.

While at Wesleyan, she met Craig Butterfield, and they were married on August 16, 1970. They attended Iliff School of Theology in Denver, where she studied Religious Education and Counseling. She was employed at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Littleton, Colorado, where she counseled adolescents and their families.

In 1974, Shirley and Craig moved to Des Moines, IA and started their own company, Butterfield Marriage and Family Counseling. Shirley led women’s therapy groups, and counseled adolescents and couples. When their daughter, Lindsay, was born in 1980, Shirley changed roles so that she could devote her time to being the very best mother to her and their son Brandon, who was born in 1983. Shirley remained President and Treasurer of Butterfield Marriage and Family Counseling until retirement in 2017.

Shirley and Craig traveled extensively with her sister, Nancy, and husband, John. She enjoyed planning and creating family trips to Germany, Italy, Austria, New Zealand, Hawaii, Australia, and Canada.

In 2017 she was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and courageously fought it for 4 years until her death.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Craig; daughter, Lindsay (Sean) Fabritz; son, Brandon (Danielle) Butterfield; sister, Nancy (John) McProud; and brothers, Vernon (Nancy) Fisher, Gary Fisher, Dana (Rena) Fisher and Terry (Gina) Fisher; sisters-in-law, Pam (Gerald) Zajicek and Jorine (Gene) Silcox; many wonderful nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and her constant companion, Buddy.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Irene Fisher; brother-in-law, John McProud; sister-in-law, Kathy Fisher; aunts, uncles, cousins and many loved relatives.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Waukee Rotary Scholarship Fund.