Betty M. Witherwax, 75, of Grand Island passed away Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, at CHI Health St. Francis.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at All Faiths Funeral Home, with visitation an hour prior. Joel Henson will officiate. Burial will follow in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
Betty was born on Aug. 30, 1941, near Sutton, daughter of Ephraim and Ethel (DeJung) Trautman.
She is survived by her husband, Ron Witherwax of Grand Island; son, Tony (Julie) Trautman of Grand Island; daughter, Angela (Steve) Moock of Grand Island; brothers, Steve Trautman of Waverly and Dayle Trautman of Durant, Okla.; sisters, Sandy (Les) Ladd of Fremont and Ruth of Geneva; grandchildren, Crystal, Cori and Anders; 10 great-grandchildren; along with numerous extended family and friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Fredrick and Larry Trautman; sister, Linda Slapnichka; and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Trautman.
Betty was raised and received her education in Geneva.
On Feb. 1, 1967, she was united in marriage to Ron Witherwax. The family made their home in Grand Island, where she worked in numerous odd jobs over the years, but was a mother first and foremost.
For almost 40 years, Betty and Ron were members of the REACT volunteers. During many storms and disasters Betty would keep morale up and the chili warm. Extending a helping hand was natural for Betty. She accepted many foster children and foster animals into her home.
Betty enjoyed camping and watching her favorite crime dramas. She was able to go to Las Vegas with her family to enjoy two of her favorite pastimes, gambling and NASCAR. Betty loved her animals and worked for several years at the Central Nebraska Humane Society, where she would care for and often name all the cats and dogs. She adored her four-legged friends, Gordy and Morgan.