Elizabeth Hoile Obituary

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Hoile age 76 of Hartington, Nebraska died on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the Avera Hospice House in Yankton, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family (Sts. Peter & Paul) Catholic Church in Bow Valley, Nebraska with the Rev. Eliot Schwer officiating. Burial will be at St. Michael’s cemetery in Hartington at a later date. Visitation with her body present will be on Wednesday, at church, from 5-7:00 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dave and Rosie Folkers, Sylvan and Leanne Thoene, Jean and Mary Hochstein.

Elizabeth Ann was born on September 3, 1949 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD to Francis Glen and Laura Marion (Bergman) Whitehorn. She attended grade school at Spring Valley District #32 and graduated from Wynot High School in 1967. She married William Hoile of Norfolk in 1969. From this union three children were born: Robert, Jennifer, and Stacie. The couple divorced in 1987.

As a single mom, Betty was a dedicated employee who worked various jobs to support her family, including Beef America, Norfolk Regional Center, Norfolk Country Club and Sellin Dairy. She returned to the Hartington area in 1999 when she re-connected with childhood friend, former classmate, and neighbor Clifford Gubbels. They made a life together on the farm for 14 years then were married at the Cedar County Courthouse on October 18, 2013. Cliff passed away from cancer on October 18, 2014.

Betty continued to work at Neu Cheese until the plant closed. Then worked 10 years at Baldwin Filters in Yankton, SD until she retired on January 4, 2016. Her hobbies included reading, keeping a journal, writing poetry, collecting rocks, refinishing furniture, and quilting. She found a deepening faith as a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Bow Valley and was blessed with treasured friendships.

Betty is survived by her three children: Robert (Michelle) Hoile of Des Moines, IA, Jennifer Judt of Norfolk, Stacie (Scott) Buss of Norfolk, three grandsons; one step-granson; four stepchildren – James (Marshawn) Gubbels of Winside, Jerry (Amy) Gubbels of Stuart, Joe (Maggie) Gubbels of Wayne, Julie (Shawn) Thompson of Wayne; step-daughter-in-law Christy Gubbels of Norfolk; 18 step-grandchildren; sister Mary Myers of Laurel; brothers Leo (Carol) Whitehorn of Hartington, Vincent Whitehorn of Murphysboro, IL.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents Francis & Laura Whitehorn; sister Helen Winters; brothers Lawrence Whitehorn and Ralph Whitehorn; 2nd husband Cliff Gubbels at age 65 and step-son John Gubbels.

Betty’s family will be directing your memorials to Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Wynot High School, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Wounded Warrior Project.