Mrs. Raye Delores Winder Butler, age 86, made her much anticipated journey home on January 29, 2019, Tuesday, at her residence in Bolivar, Mo., where she resided with her son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Elizabeth Winder. Raye was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Ralph Harold Winder, her grandson Daniel Phillip Winder, and siblings Leonard Bartlett, Wesley Bartlett, Flossie Hines, and Willis Bartlett. Also preceding her in death were three subsequent and loving husbands, Jim Carter, Ted Butler, and Al Butler. She was born February 8, 1932, in Lane, Kan., a daughter of the late Jesse and Hattie Bartlett. She was the third of six children and is survived by four sons and four daughters in law, Michael Eugene Winder (Dawn) of Gilman City, Mo., Larry Eldon Wind-er (Liz) of Bolivar, Mo., Mark Lance Winder (Marcia) of Skiatook, Okla., and Robert Lynn Winder (Ann) of Bolivar, Mo. and her youngest sister Rosie Jordan of Garnett, Kansas; 11 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. Raye was born in the depression era and was no stranger to hard times growing up on the family farm outside Osawatomie Kan. She learned resilience, hard work, and determination and could do anything she set her mind to. As a teenager, Raye worked at local restaurants in town where she met her husband Ralph. After serving in WW2 he would come into town when taking flying lessons. She was a waitress in the restaurant where he dined and fell in love with this hand-some man. They were soon married after her junior year in high school. The couple lived in the states of Illinois, Utah, Montana, and then eventually settled in Bethany, Mo. where her husband worked for Conoco. She was a devoted mother and wife and later worked at Places department store warehouse and South Harrison Elementary School. Raye was a much-loved Teacherās Aide in the district for many years, she treasured her time with the teachers and students there. Many of the students remember her as a kind lady. She was always ready to offer help to those who needed it. She was a good friend and a great listener, who loved to bake and cook. She was an avid gardener and liked to can vegetables. One granddaughter recalls that grandma taught her to skin a deer, another to drive, bake and cook. Reading and crocheting brought her joy as she made afghans for each of her grandchildren. Every-one she knew felt special in her eyes. She treated everyone with genuine kindness, love and sincerity. When you spoke with grandma she gave you her full attention. She had a joyous laugh and a sparkle in her eye that couldnāt be beat. Raye was the best cook, read many many stories, and had a knack for singing. Many of the songs she sang to her children and grandchildren are still sung around their homes. She was a lover of hymns and gospel music as a result of a traveling evangelist that visited her childhood farm. It was during that visit that she would make a decision that would greatly impact everyone she met for the rest of her life. She had accepted Christ into her heart. Her decision to follow Jesus was what would define her entire existence to her last breath. Her family have greatly benefitted not only from her dedicated prayer life, but also from her model of servanthood. Raye loved nothing more than taking care of her family. She loved us in a way that will be difficult to duplicate. She was known for her amazing meals and swore up and down that she truly loved the neck of the turkey, but we all knew she just wanted to make sure there was enough for everyone else! When she greeted you, her first words were often, āHave you eaten today?ā Many in her family can attest to her desire to serve, and it was only in the last few years that we were blessed with the opportunity to serve her. It is difficult to put into words the amount of admiration and love her family has for her. She was the matriarch of our family and will be greatly missed. Gone but never forgotten, we can only imagine the time she is having in heaven as she is reunited with family, friends, and her loving father Jesus Christ. That sparkle in her eye is shining brighter than ever now. Fly free Grandma Raye, we are eternally grateful to you for teaching us to shine as a lighthouse in this stormy world. Services were held at the First Baptist Church in Gilman City, Missouri on Saturday, February 2, 2019, with burial following at the Mount Hope Cemetery, Humboldt, Kan. Online condolences: wwwbetha-nymemorialchapel.com.