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Elizabeth Faith (Snyder) Whitney of Broken Bow, NE, passed away peacefully at her home on December 22, 2025, at the age of 84.
Elizabeth (Beth) was born on September 1, 1941, in Portland, OR to William Albert (Abe) and Mildred Grace (Mills) Snyder. She lived in Boring, OR until 1958, when she and her family moved to Ansley, NE to care for her grandfather, John Mills.
Beth accepted the Lord at age 11 while attending Daily Vacation Bible School at Sandy Baptist Chapel in Sandy, OR. She was baptized a short time later at the Baptist Church in Damascus, OR.
While attending the Berean Church in Broken Bow, she met John Whitney, the love of her life. Within a couple of months, the lovebirds eloped to Hymore, SD where they were married on October 17, 1958. Beth and John were blessed to raise Lynne, Robin, Mark and Becky.
Beth is survived by her husband of 67 years, John Whitney; daughters Lynne (Jim) Purcell of Tucson, AZ, Robin Whitney of Ansley, NE, and Becky (Bill) Stadler of Hatley, WI; grandchildren Josh Purcell (Lara Pfaff) of Tucson, AZ, Joel (Gabi) Purcell of Evanston, IL, Matt (Shilo) Birnie of Central City, NE, Mark (Chantel) Stadler of Gibbon, NE, and Whitney (Max) Pfeifer of Urbandale, IA; great-grandchildren Lincoln and Levi Purcell of Evanston, IL, Caleb, Titus, Kali and Ella Birnie of Central City, NE, Charlotte and Gwendolyn Stadler of Gibbon, NE, and Lilian and Elsie Pfeifer of Urbandale, IA; brother Albert (Sharon) Snyder of Sandy, OR, sisters Kay Howard of Albany, OR and Jan (Dave) Whistler of Springdale, AR, sister-in-law Darlene Whitney of Grand Island, NE; nieces and nephews Kim Clay (Rob Klinkman), Tracey (Rick) Poublon, Sarah (Bryan) Oxford, Tina (Keith) Tanner, Justin (Hope) Snyder, Lori (Tim) Jensen, Ron (Susan) Whitney, Jody (Phillip) Grimes, Raquel (Chris) King, and many, many great nieces and nephews.
Beth was preceded in death by her parents, son Mark Whitney, brother-in-law Clifford Whitney, nephew Jason Snyder, and grandson Seth Stadler.
Things that brought a smile to Beth: Thrifting where she would declare she was saving John’s money, and he would tell her he had all the money she needed, Flowers (plum blossoms in spring, sumac in the fall, zinnias in the summer, and holly in the winter), and Grandkids the year round.
Beth travelled with John to every state in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Favorite places included her Oregon cottage (of course😊) with views of Mt. Hood, Estes (is the bestest) Park, CO, Reindeer Lake in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada, Cannon Beach, OR, Mount Rushmore, SD, Atkins Lake, WI and anywhere family and friends were located.
Beth’s daily prayer was, “Make me a blessing to someone today,” and she brought joy to all. She enjoyed her home and spent her life involved in hospitality, welcoming countless missionaries, friends and family. All were blessed with her warm and caring personality. Beth was beautiful inside and out as was her home. She loved planting flowers and placing rocks collected from her and John’s many trips to South Dakota around the pond, house and farm. Her seasonal decorating was unparalleled. One Christmas she challenged someone to guess how many Christmas trees were on display, 47 being the correct response.
Beth has passed from death into Life Everlasting. As much as she loved Christmas here on earth, it is nothing compared to her first Christmas in heaven. Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men (Luke 2:14 KJV).
The family would like to thank Dr. Brett Lindau, the entire staff of Aseracare / Hospice for their love and comfort to Beth and support to her family, Pastor Bob and Karla Klooz for their precious presence over these past weeks, and above all thanks be to God, the Giver of Life.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the Broken Bow Evangelical Free Church. The service will be livestreamed at www.govierbrothers.com. Burial will follow in the Custer Center Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Homeward Trail Bible Camp, Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF), Trans World Radio (TWR) or Broken Bow Evangelical Free Church. A visitation will be held on Friday, December 26th, from 5 to7 PM at the Broken Bow Evangelical Free Church. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Words of remembrance or condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com
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