Marjorie Butts Pietsch, 87
Marjorie Ann Butts Pietsch, 87, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, in Sandpoint, Idaho; with her loving husband Gary by her side.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Sandpoint, with Pastor Andy Kennaly officiating.
Marjorie Ann Madison was born Sept. 7, 1936, in Fort Collins, Colo., to Marion and Edna Madison. She grew up with her brother Jimmy and spending time on the family farm in Longmont (now a Centennial Farm). She loved climbing trees. She was the Valedictorian of her graduating class at Fort Collins High School. She attended Colorado State University and double majored in home economics and occupational therapy; graduating with Honors in June 1958. She was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority.
The day after graduating from CSU, Marge married Dave Butts in Fort Collins. Dave’s career with the National Park Service took the family all over the United States. Everywhere they moved she made a home for Dave and their two children Tom and Jennie. They lived in several National Parks across the country including Mississippi (Natchez Trace), Alaska (Glacier Bay), California (Yosemite) and Colorado (Rocky Mountain National Park). They also lived in Vienna, Va., and Boise, Idaho. Each move brought an opportunity to fix up and decorate a home. She kept in touch with many of their Park Service friends over the years. She loved hiking and traveling in the mountains and foothills.
Marge enjoyed throwing pots when the children were young in Estes Park. She worked as a special education/occupational therapist aide in Fairfax County, Va., and for the Boise School System. She loved working with children. She always found time to be creative in arts and enjoyed trying new cooking techniques.
Marge and Dave moved from Boise to their home in Sandpoint in 1996. They enjoying traveling, camping, hiking, cross-country skiing and canoeing with friends and family. She was a 24-year breast cancer survivor. As a devoted wife she cared for Dave after his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Dave passed away in 2010. They were able to share 51 wonderful years together. She was a proud member of the P.E.O. organization to support women’s education and enjoyed her sisters.
Marge married Gary Pietsch on Jan. 1, 2011, in Sandpoint. They were members of the First Presbyterian Church. They enjoyed traveling together across the country from California to Maine, over the Atlantic Ocean and into Canada. She enjoyed going golfing with Gary, even though she did not play. As a grandma to the Gary’s family she enjoyed family gathering and meals together. Marge and Gary often made a fall trek to the family cabin near Estes Park, Colo., to enjoy the Scottish Festival, watching the aspen trees change colors and hear the elk bugle in the meadow.
She is survived by her husband, Gary Pietsch of Sandpoint; son, Thomas (Lisa) Butts of Thornton, Colo.; daughter, Jennie (George) Fischer of Grangeville, Idaho; four grandchildren, Sarah and Laura Fischer, Mason and John (Greta) Butts; and one great-grandchild, Vivienne. She is also survived by Gary’s family of Wesley (Jim) Dustman of Sandpoint; and grandchildren, Terrin Dustman and Dayna Maddox-Dustman; Jaye (David) Schuck of Hope, Idaho; and Chris Pietsch (Therese Brubaker) of Eugene, Ore., and grandchildren Delany Brubaker and Tiernan Pietsch.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother James Madison and husband Dave Butts.
In-lieu of flowers please join a Race or Walk or make donation to Susan G. Komen to help end breast cancer: https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/attend-events/race-for-the-cure/ or make a donation to the James L., M. Leslie, Edna Madison and Marjorie Pietsch Memorial Award Endowment (15035) https://advancing.colostate.edu/YOURIMPACT
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Marjorie’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.