Linda Lee Buttram

Linda (Klemm) Buttram August 31, 1953 - May 31, 2022 We celebrate the life and mourn the loss of our beloved wife, mother, Mimi, sister, aunt and friend, Linda Buttram. Her time here with us was too short, but that time was lived to the fullest. Linda filled each moment with her vibrant and passionate approach to life. She wasted nary a minute - reading, exploring, and conversing. Her friendships were deep and many. She was a life-long learner in every respect, and a gifted teacher in turn. Linda lived in the whole world, traveling widely and reading broadly. She swam in new ideas and danced with the beauty of flowers, birds, new places and people. She showered her family and especially her four grandchildren with care and love. Her life was an expression of curious joy. We would all do well to take note. Linda saw life as a gift. In all the small ways and big ways, she taught others to do the same. During her life, you could find her volunteering, decorating the many family birthday cakes, teaching a child to read, conversing with a friend, reading a book, going for a walk, gardening, quilting, planning the next trip or scrapbooking about the one she'd just been on… Linda rested only because it was necessary. 12 years ago, Linda was diagnosed with cancer, a journey she walked with strength and dignity. In this way, both her life and death are a lesson for us all. Our grief is a form of gratitude for all she brought to us and to this world. If Linda were here now, she would encourage you to drink a glass of water and go outside to do something fun. Linda was born on August 31, 1953 in Ashton, Illinois to Barbara (Davis) and John Klemm. She graduated from Plainview High School in Plainview, Texas. Linda attended college at West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas, where she met her husband, David Buttram. After marrying on May 18, 1974, the couple moved to Raton, New Mexico where they raised their three children. Linda taught in Raton Public Schools for 30 years bringing the gift of learning to hundreds of children. Linda and David moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico in 2009 where they filled their retirement years with family, friends, and travel. Linda is survived by her husband David, children Michael (Katie) Buttram, Jessica Velman, and Lisa (Joey) Volpato, grandchildren Sam, Dawson, Gabriella, and Sofia. Services will be held at University United Methodist Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Tuesday, June 21st at 11 am. Reception to follow. Donations may be made in her memory to: Tutti Bambini (300 El Molino Blvd, Las Cruces, NM 88005 (575) 556-9752) Bilingual Education for Central America (www.becaschools.org) Children's Reading Alliance (www.childrensreadingalliance.org)