Ava Jane (DeMotte) Whiteman

Ava Jane DeMotte Whiteman was born in Dickinson North Dakota on September 25, 1948 the first of four girls to Frank and Gladys DeMotte, her earliest years were spent on the farm north of Scranton North Dakota. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Scranton, baptized, confirmed and married there. Mom attended school and graduated in 1966 as a Scranton Miner, she attended the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks where she met Dennis Sneva. Mom transferred to the University of Iowa to complete her BS of dental hygiene education in 1970. Mom and Dad were married New Year's Eve 1969, they have two daughters Julianne and Angie (Sneva), they later divorced.

Mom lived and worked in Billings until the early 1990s when she met and married Larry Whiteman from Rotten Grass. He preceded Mom in death December 6, 2006. Mom loved the country life, spending the last years in beloved Rotten Grass. A health issue in September 2024 forced her to the city where she spent the last few months of her life.

Mom passed to heaven in the early afternoon of February 27, 2025.  

Mom lived life on her own terms, fiercely defending her independence and solitary way of life. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband Larry she is survived by her sisters and their spouses; Mary Noyes (Kevin Power), Brenda DeMotte (Jim Anderson), Susan (Brian) Poykko; daughters Julianne (Stanley) Stieber, Angie (John) Schneider; 1 neice,13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, and extended family. Mom enjoyed music, crocheting, and watching the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes in any of their athletic pursuits. Special thanks to the staff at Billings Rehab and Nursing and Dr. Nazroo for the kind care at the end of mom's life. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church 323 N Crawford Hardin, Montana or Billings Rehab and Nursing-activities department 600 South 27th Street Billings, Montana 59102.

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