Published on September 16, 2025
Read Time: 4 Minutes
Three Things to Know
- The Phelps Health Butterfly Release Celebration helps families honor loved ones and find healing through stories of remembrance.
- Families like the Krones, Schafers and Hickmans shared how the annual event keeps memories alive and comforts children in their grief.
- Proceeds from the celebration also support patient care and vital services through the Phelps Health Foundation.
Every butterfly released carries a story. For families like the Krones, the Schafers and the Hickmans, the Butterfly Release Celebration is more than a yearly tradition—it’s a way to honor loved ones, find healing and remind their children that they’re not alone in their grief. Through their stories, you see how the Phelps Health Foundation’s mission reaches beyond the event, offering comfort and support that lasts long after the butterflies take flight.
Poppy’s Legacy
Following a courageous battle with adrenal carcinoma, Mike Krone passed away on September 13, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family and kindness. Mike’s wife, Chris, and their chosen family, Gina and James Schafer and their daughters, honored his life at the 2024 and 2025 Butterfly Release events.
While not related by blood, Gina became family when Mike and Chris “adopted” her through a support program during her time at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) in 2003. Their bond grew deeply over the years. Mike and Chris attended Gina’s appointments during her twins' pregnancy, and her daughters now lovingly call them “Poppy” and “Meme.”
“Mike has always been a father figure,” Gina said. “He fit so naturally into our lives. Watching him be a grandparent and Poppy to my girls is one of my favorite memories.”
Chris also reflected on the special moments Mike shared with their sons.
“Our boys, Kevin and Scott, enjoyed so many memories with him before he passed,” said Chris of her late husband. “Kevin enjoyed fishing with his dad, and Scott loved deer hunting with his dad from the age of 12. The Butterfly Release reminds us to hold on to these moments.”
For Mike’s family, the Butterfly Release has served as a powerful healing tool.
“It’s a way to help our kids understand grief and see that they aren’t alone,” Gina said. “That butterfly, slow to wake and then fluttering away—it’s a symbol of new life.”
At the 2024 event, the family wore matching shirts in Mike’s honor, and his memory lives on through small but profound gestures. Chris purchased a garden spinner at the event, which serves as a gentle reminder of Mike’s spirit.
Chris also recalls the immense comfort [Phelps Health] Hospice provided during Mike’s final days.
“He wanted to understand the process,” she said. “Carrie, our hospice worker, sat with us and explained everything. The peace of mind she provided and the care she took with Mike made all the difference.”
Together, Chris and Gina cherish the memories that defined Mike: his 40-year career with Maggi Construction, his leadership at church and his way of turning strangers into friends. From teaching Gina’s daughters to laugh and love life to showing the men in the family how to dismantle the pool each year—Mike’s impact lives on.
A Father’s Love Endures
For Shellana Hickman, the Butterfly Release is a heartfelt tribute to her husband, Bryce Hickman, who passed away at age 40 after a courageous battle with renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). Together, they built a life rooted in love, raising four children and creating lasting memories.
“Bryce lived life to the fullest,” she said. “He worked hard, took care of everyone and achieved his dream of opening Hickman’s Automotive—a business he built on skill and service. He was the type of person to give the shirt off his back, always willing to help others.”
Bryce’s most cherished role, however, was being a dad. Whether coaching his son’s flag football team or bonding with his children, Bryce fully embraced fatherhood. Maddie, his 7-year-old daughter, finds special comfort in the Butterfly Release.
“She believes Daddy sends butterflies to tell us he’s here,” Shellana said. “That makes it so special for her.”
The event has become a way for the entire family to feel connected to their late husband and father.
“I love doing small things like this to keep his memory alive,” Shellana said. “I believe he sees us doing it and knows we miss and love him. Being surrounded by others who’ve experienced loss reminds us that we’re not alone. It brings comfort and joy while remembering the ones we love.”
Why It Matters
Events like the Butterfly Release Celebration are more than symbolic—they heal. They give families space to grieve, connect and find hope, while also raising funds that directly enhance patient care across the region.
In 2024 alone, these funds helped provide:
- Nutritional supplements for 127 patients
- Housing and living expense assistance for 22 patients
- Medical supplies, lifesaving procedures, therapies and transportation for 81 patients
From warm meals to advanced medical equipment, these funds ensure patients receive compassionate, comprehensive care when they need it most.
Continue the Legacy of Care
The Butterfly Release Celebration is just one example of how the Foundation helps families honor loved ones, find healing and support high-quality, accessible healthcare across every stage of life. To learn more about the Foundation’s mission, the programs it supports or how you can get involved, visit their web page.