Tallulah Kai Butler

Tallulah Kai Butler, affectionately known as Kai, brought a vivacious spirit to the world that was as bright as the sun shining over the barn where she loved to play. Born on January 26, 2013, in the quiet embrace of Carpenter, she was a flame of energy sparked by adventure and the indomitable urge to explore every facet of life. Kai departed from this life far too soon on March 22, 2025, leaving behind a legacy marked by love, laughter, and a collection of joyful memories that will sustain her family and friends in the years to come.

From her earliest days, Kai exhibited a tenacity that made her a force to be reckoned with. Whether she was pleading with her mother to let her mow lawns or shovel snow for neighbors, or joyously helping her grandma and Tia in the barn, she found joy in labor and camaraderie. Her spirit of giving was unmatched; she approached each task with a passion that illuminated her remarkable personality, even if it sometimes meant resisting work at home. In those moments of toil with her dad, be it in the shop or the fields, she shaped the foundations of a character destined to embrace life fully.

Endearing and ornery, Kai was not just a sister to Twyla and Lilli, but their enthusiastic competitor. Her internal tally of accomplishments—like mastering makeup and style—was presented with a fiery pride that was both charming and precocious. She not only aimed for success but shared her triumphs with an infectious glee that inspired those around her. Her love for physical challenges mirrored her adventurous spirit, as she dove headfirst into new sports with zeal, sharing tales of her endeavors in volleyball, swimming, and track. Each victory, no matter how small, was celebrated with the exuberance of a true champion.

Her friends and family remember the anticipation in her eyes as she geared up for cliff jumping at Tyhack, only to find herself unable to jump higher than the shore. But in that moment, she became an artist of storytelling, narrating her experience with such excitement that it painted her as a girl still soaring strong—connected to the earth by only her feet but reaching for the sky with her dreams.

An aficionado of her uncle’s skateboard, Kai would glide through her surroundings, indulging in the simple pleasures of life like skate sessions down pavement roads on crisp evenings. Even when winter transformed the terrain, she couldn’t resist the allure of her skateboard, practicing those hard-earned falls indoors while plotting her next moves outside. The rhythm of her life continued with her love for fishing during day trips with her Tio and cousins, culminating in proud moments of catching her limit from the beautiful lakes near Sheridan.

Beyond her playful pursuits, she was also filled with ambition. Kai fought for her grades and found pride in improvements against the odds—her spirited battles with teachers spoke volumes of her determination and heart. Her love for archery, nurtured among family, allowed her to embrace her independence, while swimming brought out a competitiveness that drove her to beat her own personal best. Each splash in the water was accompanied by an unyielding resolve that mirrored her life on land.

However, it is amidst this kaleidoscope of accomplishments and vivacity, we pause to honor the two loyal companions who stood by her side—her beloved dogs, Podunk and Lost, who now join her in eternal rest.

Kai is survived by her devoted parents, Neal and Kierstin, and her cherished sisters, Twyla and Lilli. Together, they will keep alive the chorus of her laughter, the echoes of her adventures, and the indelible warmth of her spirit. She touched the lives of her Aunts and Uncles, who will forever be her best friends, and a mountain of cousins who will bring her on their life adventures. While her time on Earth was but a fleeting flicker, the shines of her beautiful flame remain, woven into the fabric of the lives she touched. She showed us all how to embrace life, seek adventure, and love unconditionally; she will be dearly missed, forever loved, and wholeheartedly remembered.