Anne Elizabeth Butz, 63, Sioux Falls, passed away surrounded by loving family on October 4, 2025, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. After a long struggle with Alzheimer’s, she was at peace.
Anne was insistent that her passing (being released from Alzheimer’s) be celebrated, not mourned. Anne’s family invites you to an informal celebration of Anne’s life at Look’s Marketplace on Saturday, October 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions would be most appropriate for the SD Alzheimer’s Association, Ceili Cottage in Sioux Falls, or Day Break Adult Day Services in Sioux Falls.
Anne Elizabeth Frost was born November 22, 1961, with her twin sister, Beth, at Sioux Valley Hospital to Ernest and Lorraine Frost. The home of the Frost family in Colton on that day was excited with the announcement of “15 pounds of girl.” The switchboard operator was busy!!
Anne attended schools in Huron, Clark, and Sioux Falls, SD. She graduated from Washington High School where she was active in music and drama. Anne participated in band, choir, and the musical Showboat. Her love of music continued throughout her life. In May 1984, Anne graduated from SDSU with honors from the nursing program. She passed her nursing boards with one of the highest scores in the state.
On September 8, 1984, Anne married Richard Butz. They first met at Washington High when Anne and her tuba sat behind this cute boy in the band, and they later reconnected during college. Sioux Falls was their home, except for two years in Dell Rapids, and two years in Hilo, Hawaii. They were blessed with two sons; Gregory was born in 1987, and Eric came along in 1989.
Maternal-Child Health was Anne’s nursing specialty. She worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, high-risk OB, postpartum, and labor and delivery. Anne excelled in her nursing career in Hawaii, also—delivering babies when the doctor was late, or being asked to start IVs for challenging newborns. Anne especially loved babies and toddlers, and they loved her too. She often created fun, educational activities for those in her care.
Anne was an accomplished, respected nurse, but her greatest passion was being the mother of her two boys. She loved helping the boys in any way she could—school volunteer, soccer mom, driving Eric to horse riding events, helping Greg obtain his private pilot’s license. She enjoyed making personalized scrapbooks for family trips and events.
Anne was a woman of many talents and interests. As a woman of faith, she was a kind, compassionate, and giving person. She and Methodist Minister Darrell Leach, started “The Haven,” an after-school childcare in Dell Rapids in 1997, a program that has expanded and continues today. She adored and spoiled her pets. Her favorite part of life was being with family. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was very witty especially when injecting original puns into a conversation. She loved to laugh and be silly. She always made the room more fun and entertaining, Anne loved creating and crafting and had an eye for decorating. And she loved to shop!
Anne is survived by her husband, Richard; sons, Gregory and Eric (Samantha); sisters, Kathy (Phil) Zabell, Lisa (Rob) McGraw, Beth (Phil) Taubert; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Anne in death were her parents, Ernest and Lorraine; her sister, Jackie; and her brother; David.
Celebrate a life with the whole community in The Dakota Scout. Contact obits@thedakotascout.com to have your loved one remembered today.