Letitia Angeline Naprstek, 78

Letitia Angeline Naprstek, 78, of Ord, Nebraska, formerly of Valentine, passed away on April 25, 2026, at Quality Senior Villages in Broken Bow, surrounded by her family.

She entered the world in Lincoln, Nebraska on November 9, 1947, as eldest child to James and Dorothy (Koca) Bunker. Letitia was raised on a small farm near Blue Hill, and spent time helping out on the farm and showing cattle in 4-H. Tish, as her friends and family called her, was educated at Blue Hill Public Schools graduating in 1965 before attending Nursing School at Clarkson College in Omaha on account of “always wanting to be a nurse.” She obtained a nursing degree from the college in 1968.

Tish met her husband, Franklin “Dale” Naprstek from Ord, in 1972 while she was a nurse in Omaha and Dale was teaching school at Bennington. Dale and Tish were married on June 7, 1975, in Kearney. They started a new life together in Valentine, where Dale was the Athletic Director at Valentine Rural High School and Tish worked as a Nurse at Cherry County Hospital. They immediately started gathering a group of life-long friends who would later become affectionately known as “the card club.”

Tish was a devoted mother to daughter, Dawn, and son, Tylr, both of whom were her pride and joy. She always said children changed her life for the better, and they felt that in the love and support she provided. She was able to be a stay-at-home mom throughout their childhood, and this proved beneficial for delivery of classroom treats, completed science projects, and quick runs to the school if/ when the kids forgot something.

She was able to impart her skills in the kitchen to all her family, creating wonderful meals and delicious desserts with flair to add to all holidays or gatherings.

Tish was a devoted Christian who cherished her Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. She was a devout member of the United Methodist Church in Valentine and later in Ord. In Valentine, she was very active in the United Methodist Women’s Fellowship, a frequent Sunday School teacher, and involved with Methodist Youth Fellowship. Tish took solace in knowing the Lord was watching over her and knew this earthly journey was just a mere steppingstone to eternal life.

Dale and Tish immensely enjoyed traveling with family and friends, seeing large portions of this great country. They took in all the sites, traversing most of the United States’ largest riverine systems by way of cruise ship, including old fashioned paddle boats in the Mississippi, Missouri, and Columbia Rivers. More often than not, they came home with new friends and acquaintances as well as great experiences.

Tish bravely battled through difficult struggles throughout her life. In 2014, Tish was diagnosed with breast cancer and through many difficulties, earned the status of survivor. However, during her retirement years she had to move from her beloved home in Valentine to Dale’s family ranch near Ord to be closer to the required treatments. After cancer, she continued ongoing struggles with battling Frontal Temporal Dementia, but always with faith and taking the challenges in stride. Though times weren’t always easy, she knew that she was loved and cared for by those closest to her and showed tremendous strength throughout it all.

Her life and memory live on with her husband, Dale; children, Dawn (Rick) McFadden of Purdum and Tylr (Sabrina) Naprstek of Ord; four grandsons, Reed, Rhett, Isaac, and Tyson; nephews, nieces, cousins, and numerous friends.

Tish was preceded in death by her parents, James and Dorothy Bunker; infant brother, Delwynne; brother, Dorian; parents-in-law, Frank and Alice Naprstek.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Vets Club in Valentine, NE on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Private Memorial Service for family and close friends will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Breast Cancer Awareness Center in Grand Island, Quality Senior Villages in Broken Bow, the United Methodist Church in Valentine or Ord in Tish’s name. Ord Memorial Chapel is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www. ordmemorialchapel.com. Card of condolences can be mailed to Dale Naprstek, 827 North 19 th Street, #121, Ord, NE 68862.