Ila Valeta Snyder Mittan

Ila Valeta Snyder Mittan, 75, of Benkelman, passed away on March 8, 2026, at Dundy County Hospital surrounded by her family. Born on October 5, 1950, in Logan, Kansas, to Forrest and Mildred (Schooler) Snyder, Ila met Ellis Mittan in 1974. They married in 1975 and welcomed two daughters, Wendy and Katherine. Though life led them on separate paths for a time, they reconnected in 1987 while she was attending nursing school in Alliance, Nebraska. After graduating, they moved to Wauneta, where she worked in area nursing homes until her retirement. The couple later settled in Dundy County and remarried on July 8, 2005.

Ila found joy in fishing, gardening, raising longhorn cattle with Ellis, embroidering blankets, and spending time with her family. She cherished country music and was a devoted John Wayne fan.

She was preceded in death by her sisters Wilma (Bady), Helen (Herb) Hammack, and Mary Walker; her brother Darrell Snyder; and many beloved in-laws.

Ila is survived by her husband, Ellis; her children Michelle (Joel) Westbrook, Joe (Tina) Critchfield, Wendy (Ted) Brewer, and Katherine (John) Frickey; stepchildren Theresa (Dave) Broeker, Gary (Jaime) Mittan, John (Pam) Mittan, and Lorretta (Phillip) Hartzer; 29 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren, with one on the way; her sisters Laveta Spargo, Marlene Wymore, and Leora (Wayne) Horner; her brothers Dean (Glenda) Snyder, Glenn (Lucy) Snyder, Dale (Ann) Snyder, and Allan Snyder; her sister-in-law Anita Closson; and many nieces and nephews.