On the morning of January 3, 2018, an angel was suddenly called to heaven.
Miranda "Brooke" Palmer-Buhl was born on August 14, 1974 in Butte to Ken and Micki (Thornton) Palmer. Her husband, the love of her life, is Troy Buhl of Butte. They were married in March 2011. Brooke was the baby sister to her brothers, Steve Palmer of Butte and Scott (Sherrie) Palmer of Highland Ranch, Co . She is an adoring aunt of Wyatt and Cassidy Palmer of Colorado and Weston Buhl of Coeur D'Alene and a caring step-mother to "Troy's boys"… Jordan and Justin Buhl.
Brooke was a true "hill child", attending grade school at Kennedy Elementary, junior high and high school at Butte Central. She played volley ball for Central for four years and graduated in 1992. After high school she went onto Montana State University (MSU…go Bobcats) graduating in 1997, with a BS in psychology and social services. While studying for her BS, Brooke was able to participate in an internship in child services in Boston, MA. After graduation, she returned to Boston and continued to work in the child services arena. As a temporary Bostonian, she developed her love for the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots (go Pats).
Brooke returned to Butte in 2000, working for the Department of Family Services in Butte for 15 years. She really loved helping troubled and displaced children and was able to place many children in caring foster and/or adoptive homes. The last two years, Brooke has worked at the Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs, assisting young adults with transitioning again into society.
Brooke dedicated her life to caring for others, especially her work kids. She was a past president of the Butte Exchange Club, a role she served unselfishly. She organized the Mining City Christmas and fund raisers (first night time golf tournament) for Earth Shuttle and other youth events, and was active in Big Brother's and Big Sister's.
Those who knew Brooke well knew her to be a very private person about her social work as well as her personal life. She truly loved Troy and her huge family. Her aunts and uncles; the Palmers: Kathy (Ray), George (Laurie), Larrianne (Mike), Dave (Betsy), Bill (Teri), Keith (Detta), Peggy (Jim), Mary, and Lynnette (Randy); the Thorntons: Cheri, Teri, Richie Pat (Ila), Lori, Tracy, Kim (Northey), and Jamie (Jason). Brooke is survived by so many cousins that there is no room to mention them all but she loved them dearly and they loved her. On Troy's side of the family she is survived by Troy's father Charlie (Terri Byrne) Buhl of Butte and mother Linda Chambers of Anaconda, Troy's sons – Justin and Jordan, Troy's brother – Craig (Lynn) Buhl and son Weston. Again Troy has many uncles and cousins whom she came to love as her family.
Brooke is preceded in death by her grandparents Larry and Maddie Palmer, Emo and Ann Thornton, her very special uncles and aunts Danny Palmer, Curly Thornton, Dani Sanderson, Dorothy Wells and cousins John Hoopes and Christa Sanderson; and her step-mother-in-law Bonnie (Cargill) Buhl who she developed a very close relationship with.
Brooke truly loved her Wyatt and Cassidy, they meant everything to her. She made numerous trips to Denver to be with them and "Chase". Troy recently gave Brooke a papateese she named "Berkley". This little dog meant everything to her these last months and we hope "Berkley" will be with us all for a long time.
Relatives and friends are asked to join with the family Monday from 10:00AM to 11:00AM in St. Ann's Church for visitations. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00AM, Rite of Committal will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Butte Exchange Club, Big Brother's and Big Sister's or to a charity of donor's choice.