Harriet Lee Butler

With heavy hearts we mourn the passing of Harriet Lee Butler, who passed peacefully in her sleep on January 21, 2025. Born November 15, 1936 in Fargo, ND, to Moe and Anne Reitbord, graduating from Fargo High, and attending University of Minn., Lee lived an active and vibrant life, passionately pursuing many interests.

Growing up she enjoyed ice skating and tennis with her sister Marilyn, and lake fishing for walleye in Minnesota with her “Daddy”. In 1956 the family moved  to Lakewood, CA, before buying a home in Long Beach. In 1958 she married Ralph Butler. They had two sons whom they raised in Lakewood. They spent many days sailing off the coast of Long Beach and to Catalina; life was rich and busy until Ralph’s passing in 1980.

As a working mom, Lee had several jobs, before making her career at Boeing Aircraft, where she worked on the C-17 project until her retirement. Active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for over 25 years, she enjoyed boating, service, and many friendships. During this period, she enjoyed camping, hiking, and fishing with her longtime companion, Ted Hoogstein, and videotaping the many activities of her grandchildren.

After retirement, she met and married Turner Felton of Macclesfield, NC. They enjoyed traveling about the U.S. and Canada in their motorhome, sharing their residency between CA and NC until Turner’s passing in 2011. She had a love for animals and gave generously to the ASPCA.

Lee had an eye for beauty and enjoyed nature, dancing, music, and art. She drew and painted, sewed her own clothes, played clarinet and piano, sang in the community choir, and collected glassware, curios, fabric, and artwork; she learned how to do stained glass. She refinished many beautiful pieces of furniture. She excelled at photography, with a technical understanding of light and film, and developed photos in her darkroom, joyfully gifting them to friends and family.

Lee was preceded in death by parents Anne and Moe Reitbord, husbands Ralph Butler and Turner Felton, and survived by sons Mark (Judy) Butler, James (Katherine) Butler, sister Marilyn Fischman, grandchildren Serena Horn, Andrew Chavez, Scott Butler, Max Butler, and Cassandra Butler, four beautiful great granddaughters, and several in-laws, nephews, and nieces.

Lee loved color!  Please consider wearing colorful attire in her honor!

Lunch Reception to follow!

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401