Ila Valeta Snyder Mittan, 75, of Benkelman, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Dundy County Hospital surrounded by family. Ila was born on October 5, 1950, in Logan, Kansas, to the late Forrest and Mildred (Schooler) Snyder. She met Ellis Mittan in 1974. They later married in 1975. To this union two daughters, Wendy and Katherine, were born. Life eventually took them on different paths. They reconnected in 1987 while she was attending nursing school in Alliance, NE. After her pinning and graduation, they moved to Wauneta. She worked in nursing homes in the area until she retired. After retiring, she and Ellis moved to Dundy County and remarried on July 8, 2005. Her hobbies included fishing, gardening, raising longhorn cattle with Ellis, embroidering blankets, and spending time with her family. She had a love of country music and was the biggest John Wayne fan.

She is preceded in death by her sisters Wilma (Bady), Helen (Herb) Hammack, Mary Walker; brother Darrell Snyder; and in-laws Glen and Cora (Clark) Mittan, Melvin (Peggy) Mittan, Clark (Charlotte) Mittan, Wanda (Paul) Spitler, Norma (Walt) Schultz, Roger Closson, Jesse Spargo, Larry Wymore, and Barbra Snyder.

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; sisters Laveta Spargo, Marlene Wymore, and Leora (Wayne) Horner; brothers Dean (Glenda) Snyder, Glenn (Lucy) Snyder, Dale (Ann) Snyder, and Allan Snyder; sister-in-law Anita Closson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a gathering for Ila on April 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. MT at the Benkelman Memorial Chapel in Benkelman, Nebraska.

A private family burial will be at a later date.