Yvonne (Paetow) Whittaker passed away Thursday, May 5, 2011, in New York after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Yvonne was born May 31, 1947, in Scottsbluff, to John H. and Mary Ellen (Partner) Paetow. She traveled with her family to many states and also the countries of China and Guam while her father served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After retiring from the military, the family returned to Scottsbluff where Yvonne graduated from Scottsbluff High School with the class of 1965.

In 1966 she met and married Jim Whittaker and to this union, two daughters were born, Cara Jean and Erika Jane. Yvonne and Jim opened and operated The Woodshed Restaurant in Scottsbluff until their family moved to New York, where Yvonne resided until her death.

Survivors include her daughters, Cara Vella (Joe Furino) and Erika (Al) Mosca; grandchildren, John, Nicole and Richard; mother, Mary Ellen Paetow and brother, Dan (Nanci) Paetow of Scottsbluff; sisters, Jeanne (Paul) Berens of Ashburn, Va., Starr (Rick) Lehl of Gering and Nanette (Doug) Redman of Parker, Colo. and cousins, nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death was her father, John H. Paetow and nephew Tyler Redman.