Our beloved mother and grandmother, Jovita Butt, 84, of Battle Mountain, Nev., formerly of Kellogg, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2014.
She was born Feb. 22, 1930, in Sacramento, Calif., to Dr. Junius and Hazel Harris. She was a member of the Army Air Corp based in San Antonio, Texas. She married Ralph Simpson Sr. in 1951, and they had five children. She later married Richard Butt in Kellogg in 1983. She was preceded in death by both Ralph Simpson Sr. and Richard Butt.
Jovita is survived by her sons, Michael R. Simpson and wife Karen of Rock Springs, Wy., and Ralph Simpson Jr. and wife Gloria of Newton, Iowa; her daughters, Cindy Luse and husband Gene of Kellogg, Iowa, Darlyne Jones and husband Clif of Battle Mountain, Nev., and Patty Brown and husband Joel of Round Mountain, Nev. She was blessed with 13 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Jovita was an avid quilter, loved the Lord, her family and her faithful canine companion, Candy. She spent much of her time surrounded by friends from New Hope Four Square Church. She leaves behind many friends and family from Iowa.
A memorial service to celebrate her life was at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at the New Hope Foursquare Church in Battle Mountain.