Dorothy Mae Button de Reus

Dorothy Mae de Reus passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, at the age of 97.

Born in Adel, Iowa, to John Francis Button and Anna Louise Rhoten Button, Dorothy grew up with a strong sense of purpose and spirit. In her youth, she spent summers as a lifeguard and was an avid basketball player, graduating from high school in 1945. She went on to attend Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Nebraska, earning her nursing degree in 1950 and becoming a registered nurse.

Dorothy married Edison Gene de Reus on September 29, 1950, after a three-year courtship. The two had known each other since childhood in Adel. Following their marriage, Dorothy worked as an RN for two years before the couple moved to Boise, Idaho, where Gene began his long career with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Together, they raised three children: Mark Edison de Reus, born in April 1952; Diane Louise de Reus, born in May 1955; and Michele Anne de Reus, born in November 1962. Gene’s work led the family through several Idaho communities, including New Plymouth, Lapwai, and Lewiston, before they returned to Boise in 1963.

In 1967, with her children growing older, Dorothy returned to her nursing career, working night shifts at St. Alphonsus Hospital. She became a Managing Orthopedic Nurse, a role she held with dedication until her retirement in 1992 after 25 years of service.

Dorothy’s life was defined by her deep love for family, steadfast faith, and unwavering values of honesty, integrity, and hard work. She and Gene shared a passion for playing bridge, fishing, enjoying Broadway musicals, country music and dancing. After Gene’s passing in 2005, Dorothy remained active and independent, continuing to play bridge, volunteering at St. Alphonsus, and cherishing time with her growing family.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Eleanor Louise Button Meyers; her brother, John Francis Button II; her son-in-law Roy Ross; and granddaughter Andrea Ross.

Dorothy is survived by her three children:

• Michele de Reus-McCord, her husband Rick McCord, and their son Cole Vevig, along with Rick’s son Theron McCord.

• Diane Ross, and daughter Erika Ross; and Roy Ross’s children from a previous marriage: Jennifer Johnson, (husband Tim Johnson, sons Sean and Tomas), and Debra Oliver (husband Bryan Oliver, children Grant and Stella).

• Mark de Reus, his wife Elizabeth de Reus, their daughter Sophia de Reus, and Mark’s daughter Teal de Reus, from his previous marriage to Judith Orsini.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Merrill’s Truewood Senior Living in Boise, where Dorothy resided for the last four years of her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to the International Children’s Surgical Foundation (ICSF).

A memorial service will be held at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 2:00 pm.