Arntzen, Barbara Lynn (Butterfield) (July 21, 1939—August 27, 2015). From Joliet, Illinois, Barbara Butterfield attended Grinnell for two and a half years (1957-60) before transferring to Illinois State Normal University, where she obtained a B.A. in English in 1962.
In high school and at Illinois State, she was active in choir and Madrigals, and also served as an accompanist and vocalist in church services and weddings. She had an early career as a reading and English teacher at the elementary and junior high levels in the Troy School District, as well as coaching volleyball and cheerleading.
After marrying John David (“Jack”) Arntzen in 1969, her artistic skills returned to the forefront as she became very involved in costume design for many local dance and high school productions, created bridal headpieces and wedding cakes, and eventually found a special niche in collage, working and exhibiting through Collage Collective and the Midwest Collage Society. She was also a long-time volunteer for the Naperville Public Library, making deliveries for homebound patrons.
Barbara is survived by her son, Karl, daughter Kristi (Ray DeBruler), stepsons Cole (Sandra), Steven (Diana), and Michael; brother Alan (Sherry) Butterfield; nieces and nephews Amy (Carl) Elliott, Russell Butterfield, Tom (Susan) Hewitt, Jeff (Naomi) Hewitt, and Dana Haselton; and her dearly treasured 10 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack, and her stepson Timothy.
Duane W. Krohnke
