Butcher, Marilyn Jean Lehmann

Marilyn Jean Lehmann Butcher - age: 75
(August 03, 1935 to September 29, 2010 )
Resident of Ukiah, California

Obituary:
Marilyn Jean Lehmann Butcher passed peacefully in her home Wednesday evening with her husband of 49 years, Eugene Craig Butcher and her daughter, Kerri Rea Butcher Daniels at her side, with her son in law, John William Daniels and her two grandchildren, Haley Rea Daniels and John (Johnny) William Daniels nearby. Marilyn succumbed to Metastatic Breast Cancer one month after turning 75 years old and 25 years after her original Breast Cancer.
Marilyn was born on Aug 3rd, 1935 in Dodge City, Kansas to Oscar Lehman and Robyn Redmond Lehmann. An unexpected surprise, Marilyn Jean was the cherished baby sister of her siblings John Lehmann, June Lehmann Peterson, Lois-Ann Lehmann Virts, and Patty Lehmann Jacobson having arrived 12 years after her next in age sister, Patty. Marilyn grew up in a loving home atop a hill 2 blocks from the legendary Boot Hill where Marilyn often played Cowboys and Indians in her Cowgirl attire, complete with boots, holster and her Six Shooter.
At the age of 7, Marilyn’s family followed her older brother Johnny to Sunnyvale, California where she attended Sunnyvale Elementary School. Some of Marilyn’s fondest childhood memories were of riding her bike along miles upon miles of cherry and apricot orchards, and the beginnings of friendships that endured a life time.
Marilyn then went on to Fremont High School where her involvement in the Arts, Theatre, singing and social volunteerism blossomed. It is also where she met Gene Butcher and began dating him when she was a Sophomore and he a Senior.
Marilyn graduated with the Fremont High School class of 1953 and then went on to San Jose State where she continued in the Arts, Sorority activities and community volunteerism and graduated in 1957 with a B.A. in Child Development and a Minor in Music.
Rather than going into Teaching, Marilyn became an Airline Hostess with TWA and traveled the world from 1957 to 1962 and worked the second commercial transcontinental jet flight flown.
Marilyn and Gene married in July 1962, moved to Ukiah where Gene had bought a Pear ranch, started a family; having Kerri Rea in 1964 and Amy Jean in 1966. Years on the ranch were filled with the obvious; raising children and ranch work, but also much involvement in the PTA, political activities, The Soroptimist Club, The Dolphins Swim Team and Dance.
In 1983 Marilyn was nominated to fill the vacated 1st District County Supervisor’s seat and was selected by then Governor Deukmejian to become the first woman Supervisor in Mendocino County. Marilyn was then re-elected for two more terms.
The following years were filled with numerous presidential terms with The American Cancer Society local Chapter, The Soroptimist Club and Republican Women and travel; often as part of the many organizations she was affiliated, such as a County Representative to the Golden Gate Bridge Centennial and Sister Bridge Celebration in Tokyo, Japan, a Delegate to the 2004 Republican National Convention and a Northern California Representative to the National Relay for Life in Washington D.C.
Far more important to Marilyn than this incomplete accounting of her life and accomplishments were the people and her relationships. When recently asked, what was important in her life, Marilyn immediately responded, her grandchildren, Haley and Johnny. Marilyn was a true optimist and lover of life, people and her country. This was in fact, the very reason for all that she did. Any attempt to describe the profound affect Marilyn so often had on those in her life would surely fall short, but a simple statement recently made at least comes close to capturing her essence and that is, “Marilyn is kindness.”
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the Eversole Mortuary at 12 noon.