Dean Butler Shares Heartfelt ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Moment With TV Mother-in-Law Karen Grassle
Who says in-laws can’t be wonderful? Despite the tropes and stereotypes we’re used to seeing in the media, Dean Butler and Karen Grassle are out to prove otherwise.
More than 40 years after portraying son-in-law Almanzo Wilder and mother-in-law Caroline Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie, the pair reunited, showing that sometimes TV family ties can last a lifetime.
@officialdeanbutler I’m so excited to be joining my friend Karen Grassle and many of our Little House family this December in Simi Valley for the Holiday Cast Reunion! It’s going to be a festive weekend filled with holiday cheer, meet-and-greets, special screenings, and the brand-new Little House Homecoming documentary. 🎟️ Tickets are limited, so don’t wait and get yours today at LittleHouseOnThePrairieCastReunions.com. I can’t wait to see you there! 👏🏼 #LittleHouseOnThePrairie #ClassicTV #KarenGrassle #AlmanzoWilder #MaIngalls
In a sweet TikTok shared by the former Prairie dweller on September 8, he reunites with his former mother-in-law. The caption on the video reads: “‘Almanzo’ and ‘Ma’ reunited to invite you to an event in Simi Valley this Christmas!”
In the snippet, Butler beams at the camera as he says, “Here with the beautiful Karen Grassle.”
“Oh, thank you,” responds the actress. “My goodness, you are a national treasure,” Butler says, as Grassle humbly dismisses him. “One of America’s most beloved television mothers, you know this, though?”
Grassle laughs it off, saying, “I did win this year!” “I know! I was watching. I saw it!”
She was referring to her win as Top TV Moms on Today, in which she won her bracket in May 2025. Grassle briefly shared the story that to accept the award, she had to have her boyfriend hold the phone while they were on vacation in Italy so she could accept the prize.
Butler further writes on the post: “I’m so excited to be joining my friend Karen Grassle and many of our Little House family this December in Simi Valley for the Holiday Cast Reunion! It’s going to be a festive weekend filled with holiday cheer, meet-and-greets, special screenings, and the brand-new Little House Homecoming documentary. Tickets are limited, so don’t wait and get yours today at LittleHouseOnThePrairieCastReunions.com.”
Butler ended the video by saying, “It’s going to be a beautiful holiday celebration of Little House on the Prairie. Hope to see you there.”