Otella Hale Rich Buttars

Longtime Alaska resident Otella Hale Rich Buttars died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2004, following a stroke, while attended by family in Soldotna. She was 88.

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A viewing will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, followed by a funeral service at noon, both at Allen-Hall Mortuary in Logan, Utah. Interment will follow at the Logan cemetery.

Mrs. Buttars was born Jan. 23, 1916, in Groveland, Bingham Co., Idaho, to Julia Dean and Dr. Alvin Wilford Hale. The family moved to Logan when she was a child. She remained a resident of Logan or Clarkston, Utah, until May 1979, when she moved to Soldotna.

She was married to Dr. Melvin W. Rich, her first love, and, in later life, to Joseph H. Buttars.

"Her main love was her family, her precious dogs, living in Alaska, chocolate and black walnut ice cream," her family said. "Otella rejoiced each day in the simple beauty of Alaska. She was a fantastic seamstress and also enjoyed other hand-work, reading, puzzles, games and painting. Her favorite saying was, 'The secret of life isn't what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you.'"

Mrs. Buttars was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a proselyting mission to the Houston mission in 1986 and 1987, when she was 70 years old.

"Although shy by nature, she blossomed and this was an important accomplishment and joy in her life," her family said. "She loved serving the Lord and the people of the Houston, Texas, mission. Her devout spirituality was evident to all who knew her and she dearly loved the Lord."

Mrs. Buttars was preceded in death by her brothers, Dr. Wilford G. Hale and Dean H. Hale; grandchildren, Stephane Forbes, Kent Cody Forbes and Sandi Forbes Blue-Eyes; and great-grandchild, Jacob C. Allen.

She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Zelda Hale and T.O. Lemon; children and their spouses, Patricia Rich and Robert W. Allen of Bellevue, Wash., Melanie Rich and Kent H. Forbes of Layton, Utah, Julie Ann Rich and Carl Swainston of Preston, Idaho, Pamela Rich and Robert D. Hansen of Soldotna, and Victoria Elynn Rich and Dr. Gary S. Wixom of Orem, Utah; grandchildren and their spouses, Debra Jean Allen and Douglas G. Bair, Michelle Allen and Martin A. Rigutto, Sanne K. Allen, Ronald W. Allen and Anne Carter, Penny Forbes and Kevin Tuescher, Willard Blue-Eyes, Cynthia A. Swainston and Kevin Little, Connie L. Swainston and Scott Lutz, Richard C. Swainston and Jennifer Merritt, Robert C. Swainson and Kristen R. Harris, Christine M. Swainston and Terry Drew, Rodney C. Swainston and Dawn M. Bennett, Sheri L. Swainston and Jeremy R. Porter, Ryan C. Swainston and Shannon N. Donald, Geoffrey Rich Wixom and Kelly L. Andersen, Dr. Christopher Rich Wixom, Dr. Ryan Rich Wixom and Keisha Long, Amanda Jo Wixom and Christopher Roundy; great-grandchildren and their spouses, Dixie L. Bair and Christopher L. Huard, Angela M. Bair and Matthew A. Rorebeck, Christopher J. Bair; Rex W. Allen, Devon W. Allen, Alex R. Allen, Robert D. Allen, Aysha B. Allen, Angela Tuescher, David Tuescher, Michael Tuescher, James Tuescher, Chad Sparrow, Thomas Sparrow, Mark Sparrow, Brian Sparrow, Jeffery Sparrow, Tyler Sparrow, Steven S. Lutz, Craig R. Lutz, Julie A. Lutz, Catherine M. Lutz, Jeffrey N. Lutz, Allison D. Lutz, Holly E. Lutz, Courtnie L. Lutz, Macie Lutz, Richard Cody Swainston, Kelsie Rae Swainston, Cory C. Swainston, Collin D. Swainston, Kameryn R. Swainston, Robert C. Swainston Jr., Peri Elise Swainston; Meagen C. Slade, Taylor-Anne Slade, Stephen K. Slade, McKenzie L. Slade, Harley Nicole Drew, Rhett Andrew Drew, Rodney Cole Swainston, Lillian M. Swainston, Grace Swainston, Kenisha A. Porter, Whitney M. Porter, Callie Porter, Jaide Porter, Kylie Nicole Swainston, Trenton J. Wixom, Alec T. Wixom, Bailie Jo Roundy and Chance C. Roundy; and great-great-grandchildren, Shane D. Huard, Sarah J. Huard, Alexandra L. Huard, Elizabeth A. Huard, Rilaya S. Rorebeck, Hayden M. Rorebeck and Kiera M. Bair.

In lieu of flowers, loved ones are encouraged to take someone dear to them to lunch and-or call their mothers to say, "I love you."

Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.