Mary Ann Butts, age 69, of Grand Rapids, Minn., died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at her home.

Mary Ann was born in 1940 to Rudy and Eloise Seibel in Hutchinson, Kan. The family moved to Ellis, Kan., where she grew up, met her first husband, Allen Schoenthaler, and raised three children.

She attended Fort Hays State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in teaching and a master’s degree in counseling.

Mary Ann started her career as a family counselor in chemical dependency in 1985 at St. John’s Treatment Center in Hays, Kan.

She married Wes Butts in 1987 and they began their work together in the chemical dependency field. They opened their first treatment center in Plymouth, Minn., in 1990. In 1993, they moved to Grand Rapids, Minn., where they founded and operated Rapids Counseling Center, and in 2005, they also assumed ownership of Rational Alternatives Chemical Dependency Treatment Center in International Falls, Minn.

Mary Ann channeled her vast amount of energy and passion to inspire healing for people affected by chemical dependency. Hundreds of people have been touched through her work, especially through Rapids Counseling. She was one of the original supporters of Wellness Court in Itasca County, a trainer in motivational interviewing, a member of the Children’s Justice Initiative, a long-time supporter of Advocates for Family peace, and a member of MARRCH.

Mary Ann’s generous spirit of love and compassion has blessed her family, friends and countless others.

Preceding her in death were her parents; first husband, Allen Schoenthaler; brother, Bob Seibel.

She is survived by her husband, Wes; two daughters, Jennifer Meillier of Grand Rapids, Minn. and Jill Schoenthaler of Russell, Kan.; one stepdaughter, Debra (Craig) Keith of Denton, Ore.; one son, Mark (Tammy) Schoenthaler of Fountain Hills, Ariz.; one stepson, Michael (Ruby) Butts of Denton, Ore.; two brothers, Jim (Sue) Seibel of Suffolk, Va. and Bill (Sherry) Seibel of Peoria, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends will be Saturday, Feb. 13, from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. memorial service at Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids, Minn. Pastor Lynn Howe will officiate.

A second memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at Ellis United Methodist Church, Ellis, Kan. Pastor Deb Harvey will officiate.

To sign the online guest book and/or send condolences, visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.