Ulene Butikofer

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Ulene Tate Butikofer, 85, passed away peacefully at home on July 31, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Born in Idaho Falls on November 15, 1940, to Grant and Una Tate, Ulene grew up on 1st Street. She married Merle Butikofer in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 7, 1958. Together, they built a beautiful life and a bustling home on their farm in Coltman.

A woman of fierce intelligence and determination, Ulene raised six daughters and one son while serving as the operational backbone of Butikofer Valley Farms. She did everything with babies in tow from driving potato and grain trucks under the combine, rogueing potatoes, hoeing beets, and picking rocks to managing the books and teaching herself Spanish to better connect with her crew. Ulene never met a stranger; her warm, outgoing nature allowed her to strike up a conversation with anyone.

Her life was defined by service, faith, and music. She began serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a primary chorister at just 12 years old. She spent decades directing choirs, roadshows, and singing duets with Merle at weddings and funerals. Ulene used music to teach her children and grandchildren the Gospel of Jesus Christ, often rocking them to sleep with primary songs. She was also a passionate genealogist, a dedicated temple worker, and the 1999 Farm Bureau Woman of the Year.

Ulene was the ultimate navigator who could find any location, and a grandmother who would go to great lengths, heights, and speeds—to teach her grandkids to read. Ulene considered visiting teaching a sacred responsibility and often invited people to live in her home. She and Merle were never empty nesters.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Merle; her children, Wynette (Tom) Hillier, Venita (Myles) Tortel, d’Nell (Ray) Howard, Alana Butikofer, LaReesa (Brent) Park, Chamae (Fred) Downard, and JaRon (Stacie) Butikofer; as well as 22 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Grant and Una Tate; her brother, Merrill Tate; her son-in-law, Thomas Hillier; and her granddaughter, Alissa Hillier.

A viewing is Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 6:00-7:30 PM, Eckersell Funeral Home (101 W. Main Street, Rigby, ID). The funeral will be held on her 68th wedding anniversary, Friday, August 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM, Coltman Church Building (12448 N 5th E, Idaho Falls, ID 83401) with a visitation preceding the service from 9:30-10:45 AM and internment at Grant Central Cemetery.