Delavee Butler-Marsh

Dellavee Butler-Marsh, age 84, passed from this life to the next on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2013, at Agrace Hospice Care in Fitchburg, WI. She was born on Oct. 1, 1929 in Kansas City, KS, one of seven children, to Allen and Edna Mae Butler. Dellavee graduated from Burlington High School in Burlington, VT. For a while she studied to become a seamstress, during which time she met Leonard Alvin Marsh in Connecticut through her friend and his aunt Francis Sipes, and they were married on January 5, 1950. Dellavee became an LPN, and began a distinguished nursing career. She began working in the University of Chicago Hospital system in the operating rooms. In the meantime she attended Thorton Community College (now known as South Suburban Community College) in South Holland, IL. From there Dellavee attended Governors State University in University Park, IL where she earned her B.S. in Nursing. Dellavee continued her education at Governors State and earned her MSN. Several years later she went on to earn her MBA in Health Care Administration from the University of Phoenix. Dellavee was very proud of her nursing career. She was a valued member of the team that conducted the first heart transplant surgery in Chicago at Billings Hospital at the University of Chicago. Dellavee was relocated to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA., in August 1988, where she was the Director of the Surgical Services. Always being a servant to others, she utilized her nursing skills on mission trips to Central America during her career. Faith and family were her passion. Dellavee accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age, and grew in, lived out, and shared her faith all her life long. She is survived by her ex-husband Leonard Marsh, Sr. of Robbins, IL; seven children: Leonard Marsh, Jr. (Lin Ye) of Chicago, IL; Lyrice Marsh of Aurora, IL; Stephen Marsh (Susan) of Madison, WI; Antwyan Marsh (Elaine) of Glenwood, IL; Eric Marsh (Judy) of Richmond, IN; Beth Marsh of Murrieta, CA; and Brian Marsh (Debra) of Murrieta, CA; two sisters, Gladys E. Gaskin of Boston , MA, and Nadine Wilson of Union, SC; twenty-three grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, countless friends, many people whom her spirit has touched, her church family at Imani Temple Church of God in Christ in Temecula, CA, as well as her church family at Lake Edge Lutheran Church in Madison, WI. A Celebration of Life will be held at LAKE EDGE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4032 Monona Drive, Madison at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 with the Rev. Stephen Marsh and the Rev. Everett Mitchell concelebrating. A time to gather will be held following the service. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420