Margret Butler

Margret Butler of Severn, MD, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at Baltimore Washington Medical Center in Glen Burnie, MD, at the age of 74. Margret was born on November 6, 1937 in Neustadt in Holstein, Germany and was the daughter of the late William Friedrich Harms and Irmgard Elise Michel Harms.

Margret's life was marked by many journeys. Her first major journey involved travel on a ship from West Germany (Die Berlin) to New York City in 1959. For several years Margret enjoyed living in New York working as an au pair for the Soybell Family. Upon returning to Germany in 1961, she met the love of her life, an American named William A. Butler. Married in 1964 at the Augustana Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C., William and Margret travelled extensively throughout Europe and the United States while they raised a family together. In 1976, they finally settled in Severn, Maryland where they have resided for the past 35 years.

Margret studied pharmacology and later began a career as a dental assistant. Her long career in dentistry extended from 1961 to 2003. Her hobbies included gardening, reading, nature, travel, spending time with friends and family, knitting, and needlework. Margret was active in her community and is known to friends and family as a caring person, always helping others.

Margret is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, William A. Butler, Jr. of Severn, MD; beloved son, Alfie George Butler and wife, Candice Swerdlow of Severn, MD; devoted daughter, Barbara Mae Baunsgard and husband, Hugh of Berkeley, CA; brother, Klaus Harms of Bremen, Germany; dear grandsons, Evan Joseph Butler of Severn, MD and Julian Nelson Baunsgard of Berkley, CA.

The family will receive friends at the Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory, P.A., 1411 Annapolis Road, Odenton, MD 21113 on Monday, February 6, 2012 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm where a Memorial Service will be held at 3:00pm. Interment will be private.

Contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 211 East Lombard St. #260, Baltimore, MD 21202 or the Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104