Florence Ellen Wainwright (Putsy) passed away peacefully on April 13, 2023 surrounded by her daughters and loved ones.

Born at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Richmond Heights, Missouri. The first daughter of Mary Ann (nee Eddleman) and Earl Louis Butenhoff.  Putsy was described as a bundle of joy, and found her passion at a very young age, participating in the day to day operations of her family’s AG grocery store. Developing skills she would continue to use through her life. As fate would have it a young man named James Wainwright worked there delivering groceries.  Putsy and Jim fell in love. They went on to be married for twenty five years and had two daughters together.

Putsy worked throughout high school for Stix, Baer and Fuller in the gift wrap department, and at St.Mary’s Hospitals gift shop. Upon graduating from Maplewood Richmond Heights High School Putsy continued to work in her family’s grocery store, Butenhoff’s A.G. Market. Also attending comptometer school and working at National Lead Co. She continued working in the grocery business at Clayton I.G.A: National, and retired from Dierbergs. Many of her favorite stories drew on the experiences she had serving her customers. You could feel the pride she had for the work she had done, and extremely proud of her lifetime membership in U .F.C.W. Local 655.

Florence was a fiercely loyal independent mother, raising two equally strong loyal daughters. Putsey’s love for her pets and great appreciation for nature and all gods’ creatures was passed down to her daughters. Her constant and loving canine companion, Layla, as well as a chosen family of beloved rescue animals, along with grand dogs Rocky and VooDoo brought her great joy.  Putsey enjoyed arts and crafts, and was particularly good at sketching and painting. She enjoyed reading good mystery and historical books. She loved to sing while listening to a favorite tune. She enjoyed traveling and visited many destinations. Some of her fondest memories were the times spent at her grandparent’s farm with friends and family, fishing with Jim and her mother in law Virginia Dawes. She especially enjoyed the holidays with her family. Putsey truly cherished spending time with her nephew Jerry “Sunshine” Butenhoff.

She is survived by her daughters, Marianne Wainwright and Christine Ellis (Keith). Siblings Gerald “Jerry” Butenhoff ( Chris), Janice Englert (Norbert), and Thomas “Tom” Butenhoff (Donna). In laws Roberta “Bobbie” Santangelo, John Wainwright, JoAnn Ford (Jim), Sharon Wainwright-Dudley and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt appreciation to the nurses and technicians at Mercy Hospital for their compassion, quality of care and to Dr Allen Soffer MD, who cared for Florence for many years.

Borrowing from her grandpa Medina’s saying, “Bring me my flowers while I’m here to enjoy them”.

Florence’s family asks in lieu of flowers donations are made to: 

Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation 

P.O. Box 926  

Lompoc, California 93438 

Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2023 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

The Heights 

8001 Dale Avenue 

Richmond Heights, Missouri 63177