Bianca Butts, known as “Bink”, passed away on June 6, 2023, with family by her side. Bianca was born in Bandoeng, Java, Indonesia in 1933, to Opera singer Rebecca Kreveld and wildcatter, Walter Henry Detert.
At the age of two Bianca, moved with her parents to Texas, where Walter’s family lived. The Detert family moved to San Pedro, California and throughout their primary school years, Bianca and her two younger sisters, Iris and Sonja, performed as a singing group for churches, community events and festivals.
Bianca became a naturalized citizen when she turned 18. She worked many jobs to earn money for college, including as a lifeguard at pools on the beach. In 1952 she was crowned as San Pedro’s princess for the Southern California Harbor Day celebration. Working the whole time, Bianca received an Associate degree from Los Angeles Harbor Junior College and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Library Sciences from San Jose State College (SJSC). While attending SJSC, she met the love of her life and husband of 61 years, ROTC Cadet Orville Butts. She did not make it easy on Orv because she didn’t intend to date any fraternity boys, making him ask her out numerous times before she finally agreed to go on a date with him to a New Years Eve party.
She would tell you that she knew from their first New Years Eve kiss, that Orv was the one for her. Bianca has recounted that it took another four months before she got another such kiss, but she had been looking forward to it that entire time. Throughout their marriage, they would ask each other for a “New Years Eve kiss.” It was also known, to the delight of Orv’s Soldiers, that they could really “cut-a-rug.” It would be fair to say that Bianca served the US Army alongside Orville during his 30-year career. She was the finest example of a “Soldier’s Spouse” one could imagine. For the births of both of her children, Orv was away on military duty. She drove herself to the hospital for her first child, and when she got back from the hospital with him, she mowed the lawn.
Toward the beginning of her marriage, she worked as a school librarian in several locations including Germany (Dept of Defense Schools) and Georgia. She was a phenomenal hostess for countless formal dinners, Commander’s New Year’s Day receptions, holiday parties, and spouse coffees, among a few; and never once needed a caterer. Her children have taken many of her amazing recipes for their families. Her creative and artistic streak was evident in everything she did. Throughout her time as an Officer’s wife (and yes, she would like to be called “wife,”), she took care of Soldiers’ spouses, families, and often Soldiers. She was a wonderful wife and mother, while fulfilling so many different roles, including many years as a Red Cross Volunteer. The home stability that Bianca provided, allowed her children to flourish academically, athletically, and socially despite the constant uprooting. And her unwavering support to Orv allowed him to achieve greatness in his Army Career. After retirement, Bianca and Orv settled in Lansing, Kansas. Their home became the home base for the Butts clan.
Bianca became an avid bicyclist, tooling all over Leavenworth and surrounding areas with other retirees. She and Orv also began their time as RV trailer enthusiasts with friends from all around the country. She was also a fantastic gardener, who more than once received recognition for her beautiful yard from the City of Lansing. However, no matter what was going on in their lives, Bianca was always available to assist her two Army children and their families in any way, especially during PCS moves, even if it required driving across the country. After devastatingly losing her husband and best friend in 2018, Bianca charged forward bravely; however never got over the loss of Orv.
Bianca is survived by her son and his wife; her daughter MAJ (Ret) Jeannine Hamby (JAGC) and her husband LTC (Ret) Joel Hamby (FA); five grandchildren and one greatgrandchild; sister-in-law; and three nephews and one niece.
Bianca will be missed so much by family and friends. We love you Grammy and are so glad you are finally with Granddad again.
