Brent Allen Butler

Brent Allen Butler, beloved husband and father, son, brother, uncle, family member and friend, completed his earthly journey on April 23, 2026. His warm smile, quick and witty sense of humor, humble integrity and ability to create amazing works of art will be forever missed by those who knew and loved him.

Brent was born on July 28, 1978, the beloved son of James David and Carol Ann (née Russell) Butler and raised in Iowa City, IA along with his brother and sister. He attended Regina Catholic Education Center through middle school, and graduated from City High School. He went on to study at the University of Northern Iowa, majoring in printmaking with a minor in graphic design. His love of communicating ideas through art led him to a career in Marketing and Graphic Design.

Brent parts from the side of his partner and wife of 9 and a half years, Erin (née Kouri) Butler. They married in 2016, and quickly built a beautiful life together, full of laughter and endless activity with their two loving, energetic, kind hearted and fun boys, Pell David and Pace John.

He was also the beloved brother of Zach (Karen) Butler and Whitney (Dominic) Amoroso, brother- in-law to Zach (Lona) Kouri, and Adam (Lauren) Kouri, fun uncle to Patrick and Emmy Butler, Eric, Adam and James Amoroso, Matteo and Zara Kouri and Brooks Kouri.

Brent’s life has been defined by the irreplaceable impact he had on so many people: he was SUCH an amazing man! Brent’s upbeat and positive personality was like the sun and we were all lucky to stand in the warmth of his presence, silliness, compassion and love. He had an encompassing love and care that reverberated through his interactions with others - from family and friends, to a stranger at a coffee shop or someone he met on a bike trail. Brent was a magnet for goodness. He was kind and thoughtful, introspective and humble, enthusiastic and respected, but most of all, loved deeply by many.

Brent loved music and all things design. He enjoyed nothing more than to share that love with his sons, nieces and nephews and even neighbor kids! It wasn’t uncommon for a group of them to be sitting around the table with Brent leading them in a drawing activity. As a music enthusiast, Brent insisted on experiencing the richness of melodies and beats on vinyl to capture the full vibes of the music. A favorite activity was introducing the boys to the breadth of his favorite musicians.

Brent loved to go on bike rides, take the boys fishing, and develop delicious meals using the ‘a little of this, a bit of that’ method. He enjoyed his quiet time prepping his pour over coffee each morning, traveling to new places, especially when an art museum was involved, and live music. But what he loved more than absolutely anything was time with family, whether it was his immediate four or extended family. Brent also had a deep love of God which comforted him all through his life, especially after his cancer diagnosis and through his final days.

Brent’s fight with the physical and emotional effects of his illness are now eased, and for that, we are grateful. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to future education funds for Brent’s children at Ugift529.com, code 22G-J49, or directly to the family. Donations can also be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (http://support.pancan.org/goto/Brent_Butler). Brent’s family would like to thank Mission Cancer+Blood in Des Moines, Associates of Integrated Medicine in Michigan, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and their staff for their loving care and compassion during his fight and transition. The family is humbled by the outpouring of prayer, love, kind messages and gestures throughout this journey.

Along with his wife, children, mother, siblings, nieces and nephews, Brent is survived by a host of cherished relatives, and friends. Brent has rejoined his father, Dave Butler, grandparents Jim and Gloria Butler and grandparents Gordon and Angeline Russell, and a host of other fondly remembered family members in heaven.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home and Crematory, 8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50322. Visitation will be on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Caldwell Parrish from 5 PM to 7 PM. Funeral services will be at the Lutheran Church of Hope, where Brent was a devout member, on Friday, May 1st at 11 AM. It is located at 305 NE Dartmoor Dr, Waukee, IA 50263.