Diane Norma Butke

1939 - 2011

Diane Norma Butke obituary, 1939-2011, Springfield, VA

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Demaine Funeral Home - Springfield

5308 Backlick Road

Springfield, Virginia

Diane Butke Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 29, 2011.

Colonel (Retired) Diane Butke died December 29, 2011 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Diane was born in 1939 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Elmer and Norma Ankerson. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1961, earning her nursing degree. Following graduation, she worked in Southern California at several health facilities. In 1963, she began a four year assignment as a civilian nurse at Letterman Army Medical Center in San Francisco, California. In 1967, she joined the Army, and following a brief orientation and training period, was soon deployed to Vietnam, working first at an Army hospital in Saigon, then moving to the 71st Evacuation Hospital at Pleiku. Upon her return from Vietnam, she was assigned to Fort Detrick, Maryland, followed by an assignment to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. In 1973, she attended the Officer Advanced Course in San Antonio, Texas, where she met her future husband, Ken Butke, a fellow Army officer. She was next assigned to the University of Washington, where she earned a Masters Degree in Nursing. Diane and Ken were married in Akron, Ohio in 1975, and they both then served at the 2nd General Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, where Diane worked in intensive care. She was then assigned as Director of the Intensive Care Nurse Course, followed by an assignment as an intensive care nurse at the Army Community Hospital at Fort Ord, California. In 1983, she was assigned to the Surgeon General's Office in Washington, D.C., initially serving as a member of the Quality Assurance team, followed by an appointment as Assistant Chief, Department of Nursing. In 1988, she was appointed Medical Nursing Consultant to the Army Surgeon General and Consultant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. In 1992, she retired from the Army. After retirement, she worked in a variety of volunteer and honorary positions, all for the benefit of the Wounded Warriors, military nursing, and women in the military. Her work for the Walter Reed Society benefited hundreds of severely injured Service members and their families. She devoted countless hours to the Women's Military Memorial and the Army Nurse Corps Association.
Colonel Butke is survived by her husband of 36 years, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Ken Butke, her sister Gail Ankerson of Franklin, Wisconsin, her sister-in-law, Mischelle Ankerson of Raleigh, North Carolina, and her nephew, Jim Ankerson, also of Raleigh. She was preceeded in death by her parents, Norma and Elmer Ankerson, and by her brother, Michael Ankerson.

Graveside funeral services with full military honors are scheduled for Tuesday, February 21, at 3:00 PM at Arlington National Cemetery. Family and friends wishing to attend should be at the Administration Building no later than 2:30PM. A reception will follow at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Walter Reed Society, 8901 Wisconsin Ave #303, Bethesda MD 20889-5600 (walterreedsociety.org), Army Nurse Corps Association, PO Box 39235, San Antonio TX 78218-1235,or the Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation, 1735 Connecticut Ave NW, 3rd Floor, Washington DC 20009 (vietnamwomensmemorial.org)

1961 Graduated from the University of Wisconsin
1962 BS degree in Nursing.
1962 worked in Southern CA at various nursing sites.
1963 Worked at Letterman Army Medical Center as a civilian nurse for 4 years.
1967 joined the Army.
1968 went to Vietnam at Saigon and then the 71st Evacuation Hospital at Pleiku .
1969 at Fort Derrick then Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
1973 San Antonio for the Advanced Course. Met Ken There.
1974 University of Washington for a Masters Degree in Nursing. Ken went to
Landstuhl Germany at the 2nd General Hospital.
1975 Akron ,Ohio got married.
1975 came to Landstuhl and was in intensive care.
1977 Director of the Intensive Care Nurse Course.
1981 Fort Ord California intensive care.
1983 the Surgeon General Quality Assurance team
1985 Assistant Chief Department of Nursing.
1988 Medical Nursing Consultant to the Surgean General
1988 Consultant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.
1992 Retired from the Army. After retirement worked for the Walter Reed Society,
Women's Memorial and the Army Nurse Corps Association.

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January 22, 2012

Carol Gerson, LTC (R)

Diane was an inspiration to me from the moment she introduced me to critical care nursing and to my good fortune throughout my Army career. I loved her keen sense, her humor, and her talent in always knowing the right thing to say at the right time. You were my favorite COL Butke! Thanks for the confidence you had in me and all the opportunities you passed my way. I'll look forward to seeing you again! My thoughts and prayers are with you Ken.

January 18, 2012

Nancy Molter

A wonderful mentor and friend, we shared many good times teaching the Critical Care Course and providing care at WRAMC. I'll miss her much, but her legacy lives on in the ANC,

January 10, 2012

Kathy Simpson

Diane was my Instructor in the Intensive Care Course. I am so grateful to have had her as a teacher, role model, mentor and friend. Farewell, my fellow redhead!

January 5, 2012

Doris Mizell

Diane was the complete professional, mentoring, educating, all while being warm, friendly, and positive in her outlook and in sharing herself with others. Our world will not be the same without her in it. She was beloved by our whole family and mourned, though we plan to see her again in the next life.

January 5, 2012

Barbara J. Smith COL(RET)

Diane, was a role model, mentor and friend. I loved her genuineness, love of people and life. The Army Nurse Corps is a richer organization today because of the legacy she left us. I was so blessed to see her at the VN Heroes luncheon in Fayetteville, NC 11/10/11. I just hugged her and cried, so happy to see her. I plan to see her again someday. Blessings to her family.

January 4, 2012

MARY BETH Johnson

To know Diane, was to respect and admire her. She was a great mentor to junior officers. She is loved and will be missed. I am blessed to have known her. Condolences to her family and friends.

January 4, 2012

Sharon (Sam) Stanley-Alden, LTC AN

For most of my Army career, Diane was someone I admired and tried to be like. She was a superb nurse and officer, and blazed trails in the then-developing area of critical care nursing. I loved working for and with her. God bless you and rest in peace, Diane.

January 4, 2012

Elise Roy

Diane,Ken and I were in the Advanced Course together in 1973,same section, the beginning of the alphabet. We became fast friends and compatriots. My memories are centered around her incredible sense of humor and love of life. We lost touch until the last ANCA convention then tried to catch up with 30+ years of our lives. I am very saddened by her passing and will keep the Butke family in my prayers.

January 4, 2012

Deb Nichols, LTC, (Ret)

I feel so fortunate to have known Diane. Her mentoring and support in my life are beyond words. What an incredibly strong, kind, & caring woman; a leader for all to emulate. Your loss is inmeasurable but your journey and suffering are over. May you rest in peace.

January 4, 2012

Gale S. Pollock, Major General (Ret), 22nd Chief, Army Nurse Corps

Diane was a loving, compassionate nurse and human being. Her positive attitude was contagious. Her belief that life was best shared with friends made it easy to spend time with her. She touched many people in very positive ways and we will all remember those moments.

January 3, 2012

Patti Hong

Diane, you were a mentor and wonderful friend from the first day we met at UW! I didn't know anyone in Seattle when the first quarter began, and we became immediate friends. I won't forget our trips to the commissary and BX, and our weekly meals at each other's place. Diane's been one of my steadfast buddies through the years, thank you Ken for sharing her with so many people. The world's not the same without her indominable spirit. Hugs, Diane.

January 3, 2012

Roy Harris

Diane leaves an incredible legacy of ultimate professionalism. Her consistent positive outlook on life was contagious and her dedication to the Walter Reed Society is the stuff of legends. We can be reassured that there is another saint in Heaven! Every life leaves a lesson...and a legacy for anyone willing to receive it. She leaves both...
Roy Harris

December 31, 2011

Marcia Patrick

Diane was the consummate professional, an outstanding educator, mentor and friend. She touched so many lives- directly through patient care and indirectly through all those she taught, supervised and mentored. She will be sorely missed

December 30, 2011

Linda Anderson

Diane, Your strength and courage inspired me. Rest Peacefully knowing that you meant so much to many.

December 30, 2011

Mary Maniscalco-Theberge

Diane,
May you rest in peace. Your smiling face, can do spirit, and hard work will be greatly missed at the Walter Reed Society. Buying my stack of Christmas ornaments at the Holiday Party will never be the same without you.
drmary

December 30, 2011

Allan Glass

Diane was a warm and wonderful person, and she will be greatly missed by all of us who worked with her at the Walter Reed Society - Allan

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