Sara Dawn Butler-Shoop, 51, of Burlington, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, March 22, 2024.
Born Sept. 7, 1973, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Donald “Don” and Sandy Wasson Butler.
Sara was a 1991 graduate of Burlington High School and graduated from Iowa Wesleyan University and the University of Iowa with a master’s degree in social work.
She married Jason Shoop on Jan. 3, 2010.
Sara began her career as a day care provider, eventually working for Young House Family Services, the Burlington school system and finally for the Great Prairie Area Education Association.
She spent her time advocating and supporting children and families locally and statewide. The health and welfare of children and families was her passion and primary focus. She worked tirelessly teaching and training those around her, along with fellow professionals on trauma informed care.
She was a member of Harmony Bible Church.
Her family was of utmost importance to her and her children were indeed her world. She was a constant force in the care and support of her parents and her sisters, along with her extended family. She was empathetic to all those around her and always, ALWAYS strove for positivity.
Sara aspired people to be better human beings. She touched so many lives, had unmeasurable amounts of friends and was truly loved. She took her profession and role as an example of Jesus’ love and forgiveness of others. She had a strong faith, was very nurturing, fun spirited, quick witted and funny. Sara continued to give selfishly even in death by providing the gift of life.
Those left behind to continue her legacy are her two children; John Luke Shoop and Lenora Grace Shoop; sisters, Michele “Shelly” (Brad) Barlau, Sheree (David) Stadler, Briana (Bob) Sourwine and Nicole Bowers; her parents Don and Kathy Butler; her best friend Jason Shoop and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother Sandy Butler, paternal grandparents Rod and Gwendolyn Butler and maternal grandparents Ceola and Wilfred “Jim” Wasson.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 28 at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29 at the Harmony Bible Church Danville Campus. Burial will be next to her mother at Shinar Cumberland Cemetery, Pleasant Grove.
A memorial has been established for her children John Luke and Nora Grace in c/o F&M Bank and Trust.