Beverly Jeanne Whitman

Beverly Jeanne Whitman, age 84, passed away peacefully in the early hours of February 3, 2026, with her beloved husband, John, by her side. She was born on May 31, 1941, to Byron and Hazel Saunders in the Ennis Hotel on Main Street in Ennis, Montana. Beverly grew up alongside her brother, Raymon, in the close-knit community, always living in the downtown area surrounded by family and friends.

A 1959 graduate of Ennis High School, Beverly had dreams of becoming a teacher and enrolled at Western Montana College. That same year, her talent shone when she won the Montana Make It with Wool contest with the entry of a beautiful coat that Jackie Kennedy would have loved. Later that same summer Beverly traveled to visit a friend in Denver, Colorado, and while there, she missed the big Hebgen Lake earthquake back home! During her first year of college, she got re-acquainted with John Jay Whitman of West Yellowstone, and the two married on June 21, 1960. Their family grew throughout the 1960's with the birth of their son, Francis Jay, and daughters Brenda Marie, Nanette Jean, and Heather Lynn.

Beverly embraced the life of a wife and mother as the family moved for John's student teaching and early career assignments in Great Falls and Libby. In 1965, they settled in Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, where John served as a teacher and principal. Beverly thrived in the small community, raising a growing family, volunteering where needed and joining various clubs. She began working at the Yellowstone Research Library, where she helped for many years and also served as Treasurer on the board of the Yellowstone Association. She cherished family adventures, including downhill ski trips, camping, hiking, and canoeing. Later, Beverly and John purchased a historic property in Gardiner, Montana, where they built and ran a coffee/gift shop and bed-and-breakfast until John's retirement in 2003.

For the next 14 years, Beverly and John traveled the country in their motor home, wintering in southern Texas and spending summers at their Jack Creek home near Ennis. A woman of remarkable strength, Beverly lived with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for over half her life with grace and resilience.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents, Byron and Hazel Saunders, and her brother, Raymon. She is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, John Whitman; son, Jay (Stephanie); daughters, Brenda (Les), Nanette (Bruce), and Heather (Chris); seven grandsons; two granddaughters; one great-grandson and another grandbaby due this summer.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Madison Valley History Association in Beverly's memory. A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, February 14, with a graveside service at the Ennis Cemetery at 1:00 pm followed by a casual reception at 2:00 pm at Bynee's, 214 Main Street in Ennis. Beverly's warmth, courage, and love for her family and community will be deeply missed but forever cherished.