Elnora Barbara Whitman

Elnora Whitman passed away at the age of 87 surrounded by her family.  She graduated from Loveland High School, Loveland Colorado. 

Elnora met her husband John Whitman at a German Dutch-Hop dance.  They started their 66 year journey on June 29, 1957.  One of her favorite things to do was to “polka dance”.  Together in the early 1960’s they bought their farm in Wellington and started a dairy and crop farm operation.   Partnering with John, she farmed and milked cows.  Elnora loved to work in the yard and in her garden.  They were the envy of the neighbor hood and many stopped in to admire it.  Her family enjoyed the fruits and vegetables that she canned over the years.  Elnora was a great cook. You could find her often trying a new recipe to feed her family-and we all enjoyed those meals!   She would host many big family holiday meals; serving up big bowls of noodle soup and butter balls, endless side dishes, meats and her homemade breads and pies.  She took pride in everything she did and had a never give up attitude.  

Elnora had many talents. She would sew clothes for her children and make beautiful baby blankets and pillows for her grandkids.  Often in the evenings you could hear her playing her piano, spending time painting or trying her hand at different types of crafts. 

Elnora was involved in the community.  She was a group leader for her daughter’s blue bird group; she helped to write and publish the “Wellington Highlights” community paper; along with John they were the presidents of the Wellington Junior High School PTA; she was a member of the Wellington Merry Mixers and the Poudre High School mothers athletic club. 

She supported her children and their interests immensely, whether it was taking them to their music lessons, sporting events or practices.  Elnora hardly missed one of her children’s or grandchildren’s sporting events.  She loved sports – especially the Broncos football team.

Together with John, they researched and wrote their families’ genealogies.  They travelled many miles, talked to an enormous amount of people to gather pictures and documents for their project.    Elnora then typed everything on the typewriter - before computers.  Their efforts and generosity gave the family a wonderful look into the families’ history. 

Later in life, she traveled around the country roads in northern Colorado looking at all of the crops and watching the boys work in the fields or around the farm and of course, taking refreshment stops at McDonalds, or Burger King.

Elnora is survived by four children.  Irma Whitman, John (Laurie) Whitman, Tom Whitman, Ron (Brenda) Whitman. Eight grandchildren. Karl (Margo) Whitman, Derick (Jessica)Whitman, Gabe (Katie) Whitman, Brennan (Jules)Whitman, Caleb (Soumilee Chaudhuari) Whitman, Josie (Blake Stevens) Whitman, Conner (Lexi Percival) Whitman, Abigail (Dan Ballard) Whitman and 15 great-grandchildren.  Her brothers Jim Harding and Robert Harding.

Elnora was proceeded in death by her husband John.  Her parents Art and Mary Harding.  Her sister Roberta Reichert.

She will be greatly missed by her family.  At her request, there will be no memorial or funeral.