Ada Ruth Whitney

Ada Ruth Whitney, age 5, of Yankton, South Dakota, returned to her heavenly home on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, as the result of a tragic accident.

Private family services will be held with the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton, South Dakota. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to your favorite children’s charity.

Born on April 5, 2019, Ada has lived up to the biblical meaning of her name (“Happy Friend”) since her arrival. She was a joyful, affectionate spirit with a belly laugh that made everyone smile without fail. Ada was a natural performer who loved to sing and dance wherever she went. Like her siblings, Ada was incredibly talented at drawing and when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up she responded, “an artist, like my mommy.” On Wednesday afternoons Ada delighted in special outings with her beloved daddy, from whom she inherited her exceptional dance moves, as well as her love of music and silly jokes. 

Ada was a passionate, lively girl full of determination, adventure, and so much fun. We will miss her more than we can ever express. Our hearts are grateful for the time we have spent with her even as they are badly broken by her early departure.

Ada is survived and cherished by so many including her parents, Geoff and Paige and her best friends, siblings Peter and Louise. She is also survived by loving grandparents, Wendy and Jeff Hughes, Mike and Karen Whitney, and great grandmother Lila Ensign. Her adoring aunts and uncles include Hunter Hughes, Jackie and Rob Harmon, Laura and Kouhei Igarashi, Adam and Jami Whitney, Crystal and Spencer Whitney, Nathan and Justine Stornetta, and Drew Whitney. Ada was also part of an amazing cousin crew including Maximillian, Nikola, Oskar, and Viggo Harmon, Molly and Charles Whitney, and Jim and Margaret Stornetta.