RULA JEANNINE BUTLER SMITH passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on the 25th of October, 2025, at the age of 91.
Rula was born February 27, 1934 in Cardston Alberta, the first of six children born to Rulon and Grace Butler. She lived her entire life in Hill Spring and was so happy there.
Mom married Floyd Smith, our dad, for time and all eternity in the Cardston Alberta Temple on September 26, 1951. She was 17 and he was 25. Together on the farm, they raised six children and were further blessed with 18 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren, soon to be 36. Their family was a source of such joy for them. There was nothing they liked better than to have their grandkids come and stay the night. Right until the end, mom loved to go watch them play sports, and relished any chance just to be with them. She loves them and they love her.
Mom liked to travel more than dad; however, they were able to enjoy several trips together, to Samoa and Alaska , and across Canada and into the US. After dad’s passing in 2010, mom carried on bravely and took the opportunity to travel with dear friends. And last year, she took a cruise with her sisters, daughters, granddaughter and cousin for her 90th birthday. She had another cruise planned with her surviving siblings for this coming January but God had another plan, a trip to see her sweetheart Floyd again, which she welcomed gladly.
Mom loved to play the organ for church, and the piano to accompany the ward choir, many trios, and others. She taught piano to so many Hill Spring families. She drove the school bus for years and loved that. She loved watching game shows and basketball on TV. She loved being active and was full of an energy far beyond her age.
Mom was faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had an unwavering faith and she was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. Her life was filled with service. She was always the first one to volunteer for any need and also went quietly about bringing her famous buns to welcome new move-ins, new moms, or anyone needing comfort, offering to babysit, wash windows, floors, walls….anything that was needed, she was there.
She loved the temple and attended every week at least once and often more, right up until the week before she passed away. She and dad worked in the temple for many years and she continued on alone after dad’s passing in 2010.
We will miss our mom, but we really do rejoice in the fact that we know she is with our dad and is having a joyful reunion with him, our brother Kendall and so many loved ones and we know that we will see her again.
She is survived by her 5 living children and their spouses, two daughters in law, 2 sisters, one brother, her grand children and great grandchildren.
A Funeral Service will be held Friday, October 31st, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hill Spring, Alberta. Friends may meet the family from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment to follow in the Hill Spring Cemetery.
Rula was born February 27, 1934 in Cardston Alberta, the first of six children born to Rulon and Grace Butler. She lived her entire life in Hill Spring and was so happy there.
Mom married Floyd Smith, our dad, for time and all eternity in the Cardston Alberta Temple on September 26, 1951. She was 17 and he was 25. Together on the farm, they raised six children and were further blessed with 18 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren, soon to be 36. Their family was a source of such joy for them. There was nothing they liked better than to have their grandkids come and stay the night. Right until the end, mom loved to go watch them play sports, and relished any chance just to be with them. She loves them and they love her.
Mom liked to travel more than dad; however, they were able to enjoy several trips together, to Samoa and Alaska , and across Canada and into the US. After dad’s passing in 2010, mom carried on bravely and took the opportunity to travel with dear friends. And last year, she took a cruise with her sisters, daughters, granddaughter and cousin for her 90th birthday. She had another cruise planned with her surviving siblings for this coming January but God had another plan, a trip to see her sweetheart Floyd again, which she welcomed gladly.
Mom loved to play the organ for church, and the piano to accompany the ward choir, many trios, and others. She taught piano to so many Hill Spring families. She drove the school bus for years and loved that. She loved watching game shows and basketball on TV. She loved being active and was full of an energy far beyond her age.
Mom was faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had an unwavering faith and she was a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. Her life was filled with service. She was always the first one to volunteer for any need and also went quietly about bringing her famous buns to welcome new move-ins, new moms, or anyone needing comfort, offering to babysit, wash windows, floors, walls….anything that was needed, she was there.
She loved the temple and attended every week at least once and often more, right up until the week before she passed away. She and dad worked in the temple for many years and she continued on alone after dad’s passing in 2010.
We will miss our mom, but we really do rejoice in the fact that we know she is with our dad and is having a joyful reunion with him, our brother Kendall and so many loved ones and we know that we will see her again.
She is survived by her 5 living children and their spouses, two daughters in law, 2 sisters, one brother, her grand children and great grandchildren.
A Funeral Service will be held Friday, October 31st, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hill Spring, Alberta. Friends may meet the family from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment to follow in the Hill Spring Cemetery.