Rae Facer Butterfield

“Rae Facer Butterfield, born on May 12, 1924, in Smithfield, Utah, has left an indelible mark on the community of Herriman. She and her fraternal twin sister Mae grew up in a bustling family of eight, with four brothers, in the peaceful canyons of Smithfield. In her senior year of high school, Rae met a handsome young man named Clyde Butterfield, who had recently moved to the area to help his brother run a restaurant in Logan. Rae soon started working at the same restaurant, and it wasn’t long before their love story blossomed. After four months of dating, Clyde proposed, and six months later, they were married in the Logan Temple.

After their marriage, Rae and Clyde moved to Herriman, where Clyde’s family had deep roots. His parents, Henry and Bessie Butterfield, were direct descendants of Thomas J. Butterfield, one of the early settlers of the area. Rae quickly fell in love with the small-town charm and tight-knit community of Herriman. The couple settled into a small home on the west end of Main Street, where they began to build a life together, raising five children—three girls and two boys.

Herriman was a place where the spirit of hard work thrived, and the Butterfields embodied that spirit. Clyde worked at Kennecott Copper, now Rio Tinto, while Rae managed the family farm. The farm was a source of pride for the family, raising pigs, cows, and growing a large crop of potatoes each year, which they sold to the public. Every member of the family had their chores, and Rae instilled in her children the importance of responsibility and community involvement.

Beyond her roles as a wife, mother, and farmer, Rae was deeply involved in her church and community. She and Clyde taught primary classes together, sharing their faith with the children of the community. Rae’s beautiful singing voice became a staple at weddings, funerals, and church services. She also volunteered regularly at the Jordan Temple and played an active role in the Lions Club, helping to cook for dinners and banquets. Rae became known in the community for her candy-making skills, especially her homemade caramels, fudge, divinity, and penuche, which she lovingly made for her family and friends.

As the years passed, Rae and Clyde’s family grew, with their five children giving them 22 grandchildren and, eventually, 23 great-grandchildren. Rae often reflects on her life with a sense of gratitude and pride. Surrounded by her large family, she feels fortunate to have spent decades in Herriman, a place she has come to cherish deeply. Even after Clyde’s passing in 2020, after 68 years of marriage, Rae remains a beloved figure in the community, continuing to live in the town that has given her so much.

Rae’s life is a testament to the values of family, faith, and hard work that have long been central to Herriman’s history. Her contributions, from her involvement in church and community activities to the nurturing of her large family, have left a lasting legacy in the town. Today, she continues to enjoy her life in Herriman alongside her sister Mae, grateful for the wonderful memories and strong connections she has built over the years”