On July 3, 2023, Elizabeth Marie Vance, 90, of Mitchell, NE passed away at Regional West Medical Center surrounded by her family. Her passing is heartrending, but her family is comforted by her religious faith and that she was able to celebrate her recent 90th birthday with many friends and family.
Liz was born May 23, 1933, to Lowell and Marie Gibbs on her family’s farm near Yoder, Wyoming. She was the sixth of seven children: Pete, Mae, Helen, Bob, Jack, Liz and Bud. Liz had many adventures and misadventures with her siblings, and they remained a close family throughout their lives.
Liz attended school in Yoder and graduated from high school in 1953. She married Dwight Vance on October 8, 1954, in Hawk Springs, WY. Liz and Dwight spent over twenty-five years farming at several farms in western Nebraska while raising their three children: Chuck Gibbs, Velina Rutan, and Darrell Vance. Liz had a lot of love in her heart to share, so in addition to nurturing her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she also cared for nieces, nephews, friends of the family, and elderly relatives. She took her roles of homemaker and caretaker seriously and ensured everyone was properly clothed and overfed.
After they decided to leave farming, Liz and Dwight settled in Mitchell. During this period, Liz worked as a clerk at both Ben Franklin and Kennedy Drug Store. She always had plenty of friends and acquaintances and enjoyed visiting with people when they came in to shop.
Liz was an imaginative and creative person. Whether it was oil painting on canvas or old saw blades, sewing clothes (doll or human-sized) or quilting, she found pleasure in making her family and friends original creations for them to enjoy. In retirement,
Liz and Dwight spent time traveling and visiting family across the country. They were often accompanied by her sister, Helen, or their youngest grandson, Ryan, during these trips.
Liz was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; three brothers; one great grandson Christopher Romey; and her daughter Velina Rutan.
She is survived by her husband Dwight; her two sons and their wives Chuck and Gloria Gibbs, Darrell and Robyn Vance; grandchildren Aaron Rutan, Stephanie (Gregg) Cosgrove, Jeff (Jamey) Vance, Becky (Jim) Jurgens, Brooke Borgman, and Ryan (Megan) Gibbs; great grandchildren, Taylor (Adam Sauer) and Kinley Vance, Hunter and Hudson Jurgens, Franklin, Louis, and Charlie Cosgrove, Piper and Lilah Gibbs, Connar and Blayke Borgman; and numerous nieces, nephews from multiple generations.
Her Celebration of Life will be held at WestWay Christian Church in Scottsbluff, NE on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 2pm with Pastor Willie Coop officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to WestWay Christian Church or Legacy of the Plains Museum. Online condolences may be left by viewing Liz’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family.