Coleta L. Butryn

Coleta L. “Coco” Butryn passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 25, 2023, at her home in Escanaba. Coleta was born in Dougherty, Oklahoma, on September 2, 1926, the daughter of Ruth (Phipps) and Ross Benn. She graduated from Ardmore (Okla.) High School in 1945.  She met Stan Butryn while he was stationed in Ardmore and they married on June 2, 1945.  They lived in Oklahoma for 3 years and moved to Escanaba in 1948 where they raised their family and shared 67 wonderful years together until Stan’s death in 2013.

Coleta had a beauty shop in their home for 12 years so that she could be at home with their 2 children.  She loved to sew and crochet and she made many beautiful prayer shawls while she was a member of St. Anne’s Prayer Shawl Ministry. In her later years Coleta enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles, watching “Wheel of Fortune” and playing Wordle.  She was known as our “Wordle Queen” as she often outscored the rest of the family.

Coleta was so devoted to her family. She took much pride in the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren- she was our dear “Nana”.  She learned to use an IPad at the age of 90 to be able to see pictures of her family.

Coleta is survived by her son, Gary (Carol) Butryn and daughter, Deborah Butryn, both of Escanaba; 3 grandchildren: Mark (Kimberly) Butryn of Kennesaw, Ga., Beth (Dave) Vogl of Sanford, Fla., and Matthew (Emily) Butryn of Maple Grove, Minn.; 6 great-grandchildren : Charles and John Butryn, Andre and Drake Vogl, Abby and Evan Butryn; sister, June Melton of El Mirage, Arizona, and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Stan, her sister, Ann, and brother, Keith.
Coleta was a member St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Escanaba.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M Saturday, September 30, 2023, at St. Anne Catholic Church in Escanaba. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. Saturday with Father Fran DeGroot officiating. Burial will take place in the Gardens of Rest Cemetery. Those wishing to offer a memorial in Coleta’s honor are kindly asked to consider UP Health System Hospice Promise Foundation at 901 S. Lincoln Rd. Suite 2, Escanaba, MI or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone are assisting the Butryn family and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.

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