Phyllis Diann Butherus, 82 of Wichita, was born on Dec. 29, 1942, in Coffeyville to Ruby (King) Goodman and Francis Goodman. She passed peacefully at Harry Hynes Hospice on July 9, 2025.

Rosary service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, July 14, and funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m., both at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 11000 SW Blvd,, Wichita.

She attended Field Kindley High School, graduating with honors in 1960. She attended Coffeyville Junior College, where she first met Donald Hawk, a star athlete, and attended Kansas University on scholarship and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

She and Don Hawk married in 1963. Two children were born of that union, Wesley Hawk and Bradley Hawk. Don passed away in May of 1989. Also preceding in death were her parents, Francis and Ruby; sister, Darlene; brother, Gary; and, sadly, son Wesley.

In December of 1990, Phyllis married Tom Butherus of Goddard. Phyllis and Tom lived for 23 years in a west Sedgwick County locale named Shadybanks, a lovely acreage with many trees and two ponds, raising Tom's two still-at-home children, Daniel and Patty. In 2000, Phyllis acquired a yellow Lab pup they named Buck, who became a beloved family member to them. In 2014, Tom and Phyllis (and Buck) reluctantly moved into West Wichita as caring for the Shadybanks property was becoming difficult. However, Phyllis (and Tom) came to love their new home in Redmond Estates for its location and wonderful neighbors.

Phyllis was a beautiful woman in many ways and was highly accomplished as well. She hired on as a secretary at the Rollins Hudick Hall (later Rollins Burdick and Hunter, later acquired by AON Brokerage) aviation insurance agency in 1975 and rose thru the ranks, completing a bachelor's degree from Kansas Newman University and retiring in 1999 as a senior vice president from then-AON. Besides her successful working career, she was a certified water safety instructor, running the program in McPherson for a term.

She was an ordained Episcopal deacon and a volunteer chaplain at St Francis Hospital. Phyllis was a very talented musician who provided piano lessons and was a key member of St Peter the Apostle Catholic Church music ministry. She was very active at St Peter's, having joined the Catholic Church in 1994, working as a volunteer in teaching religious classes and served as the director of religious education as well as serving on the school council. Further, she spearheaded several church initiatives such as the St Peter Lord's Diner volunteer program and also volunteered there, 24-hour adoration and eucharistic ministry for the home bound.

In addition to all this, she served as Tom's crew chief on a 200-mile-per-hour drag race car, where they competed successfully over much of the Midwest and Southwest. Phyllis also loved to play bridge and do laundry.

hroughout this time, she was a wonderful spouse, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, as well as a dear friend to many. Indeed, she had wonderful friends, a testament to her personality and character. She is survived by husband, Tom; son, Bradley and his wife Stephanie of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.; daughter-in-law, Becky (Wesley) Hawk of Wichita; Tom's children, Tina, Daniel and Patty; grandchildren, Collin, Lauren, Caitlin, Meghan, Weston, Cathryne, Clay, Aryn, Elea, Cyrus, Sorche, and Zachary; and great-grandchildren, Bryton, Bowen, Parker, Thomas, Lakin, Jaylen, Cody, Ryker, and Zoie

She loved many, was loved by many and is certainly now rejoicing in her Lord but sorely missed on this earth by Tom and her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be send to St. Peter Catholic School, 11010 SW Blvd,, Wichita, KS 67215.

Leave online condolences at www.wsmortuary.com.