Cindy Lynn Butler passed away on July 22, 2021, after an incredibly courageous, yearlong battle with cancer. Cindy was born on January 31, 1957 in Heppner, Oregon. Cindy was born second to her sister, Stacey, who was born in 1955. Next came her brother Kevin, her Irish twin, born in December of 1957. In 1961 her little sister, Kellie, was born. Cindy always said that Kellie was her first baby doll. The family moved to Illinois when Cindy was an infant and lived in various places, before moving to Kansas and settling in Overland Park in 1964.
Cindy married young to David Eugene Thurston. They also divorced young, but their union brought Cindy her greatest joy, their daughter, Amber Rae Thurston. Cindy bestowed upon her daughter an immense, unconditional love that persevered into Amber’s adulthood, when she would become Amber’s best friend. Cindy was Amber’s rock – a constant source of support, laughter, and empathy. Cindy’s next greatest joy came with the birth of her only grandchild, Jack Lawrence Schantz. She loved doting on him, learning from him, and finding ways to connect with him.
Those who knew Cindy remember her “life of the party” attitude. She loved music and took great joy in singing and dancing. She was adventurous and loved to travel. To say she will be greatly missed is a vast understatement. She shone so very bright, and nothing can replace the light she emitted when she entered a room. Only the countless memories of her generous soul, independent spirit, hysterical antics, and loving nature can come close to filling the void her passing has left for those who knew and loved her.
Cindy died as she lived: on her own terms and surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles L. Butler, and her mother, Joyce A. Ledom. She is survived by her daughter, Amber Thurston; sisters, Stacey Yurkovich and Kellie Martiny; brother, Kevin Butler; grandson, Jack Schantz; son-in-law, Gabriel Schantz; brother-in-law, Kurt Martiny; sister-in-law, Marcia Butler; nephews, Justin Yurkovich, Eric Yurkovich, Nicholas Butler, and Jacob Butler; nieces, Kyra Martiny and Kori Martiny; nieces-in-law, Kate Hazelwood, Anne Yurkovich, and Kelsey Butler; three great-nephews, one great-niece, and numerous friends.
Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, August 2, at the Amos Family Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., at the funeral home. All who attend the visitation and funeral are required to wear masks. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) at https://awnnetwork.org/donate-to-awn.
Funeral Ceremony
Start Date: August 2, 2021, 2:00 pm
End Date: August 2, 2021, 12:00 am
Amos Family Funeral Home
10901 Johnson Dr.
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 913-631-5566
Visitation
Start Date: August 2, 2021, 1:00 pm
End Date: August 2, 2021, 2:00 pm
Amos Family Funeral Home
10901 Johnson Dr.
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 913-631-5566
Cindy married young to David Eugene Thurston. They also divorced young, but their union brought Cindy her greatest joy, their daughter, Amber Rae Thurston. Cindy bestowed upon her daughter an immense, unconditional love that persevered into Amber’s adulthood, when she would become Amber’s best friend. Cindy was Amber’s rock – a constant source of support, laughter, and empathy. Cindy’s next greatest joy came with the birth of her only grandchild, Jack Lawrence Schantz. She loved doting on him, learning from him, and finding ways to connect with him.
Those who knew Cindy remember her “life of the party” attitude. She loved music and took great joy in singing and dancing. She was adventurous and loved to travel. To say she will be greatly missed is a vast understatement. She shone so very bright, and nothing can replace the light she emitted when she entered a room. Only the countless memories of her generous soul, independent spirit, hysterical antics, and loving nature can come close to filling the void her passing has left for those who knew and loved her.
Cindy died as she lived: on her own terms and surrounded by family. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles L. Butler, and her mother, Joyce A. Ledom. She is survived by her daughter, Amber Thurston; sisters, Stacey Yurkovich and Kellie Martiny; brother, Kevin Butler; grandson, Jack Schantz; son-in-law, Gabriel Schantz; brother-in-law, Kurt Martiny; sister-in-law, Marcia Butler; nephews, Justin Yurkovich, Eric Yurkovich, Nicholas Butler, and Jacob Butler; nieces, Kyra Martiny and Kori Martiny; nieces-in-law, Kate Hazelwood, Anne Yurkovich, and Kelsey Butler; three great-nephews, one great-niece, and numerous friends.
Visitation will be 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, August 2, at the Amos Family Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., at the funeral home. All who attend the visitation and funeral are required to wear masks. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) at https://awnnetwork.org/donate-to-awn.
Events
Funeral Ceremony
Start Date: August 2, 2021, 2:00 pm
End Date: August 2, 2021, 12:00 am
Amos Family Funeral Home
10901 Johnson Dr.
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 913-631-5566
Visitation
Start Date: August 2, 2021, 1:00 pm
End Date: August 2, 2021, 2:00 pm
Amos Family Funeral Home
10901 Johnson Dr.
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 913-631-5566
Guestbook
Visits: 29
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