Lena Ruth Davis was the daughter of David Davis and Elizabeth Williams. David and Elizabeth were the parents of 7 children: Mary Jane, William John, Cordelia E., Etta E., Lena Ruth, LeRoy, and Leota G.

Lena married Berton Leroy Whitney on January 21, 1906 at the home of the bride in Maxwell, Story County, Iowa. To this union were born 13 children: Donald Clay, Russell Lee, Mary Elizabeth, Margaret Ruth, Esta Davis, Harriett Lorraine, Nadeene Carrie, Gwendolyn Bertie, Elois Lucille, Ronald Clark, Oneita Gay, Clayton Wendell, and Wanda Lee.

Obituary; Aug, 1973 newspaper source unknown (probably Maxwell Tribune): FUNERAL SERVICES FOR LENA WHITNEY AUG. 27 - Lena Ruth Whitney, 84, of Cambridge, passed away at her home Friday. She was married to Berton Leroy Whitney in January of 1906 at Maxwell. Her husband preceded her in death in 1953. Funeral services were held Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the White Oak Church with burial at the Maxwell Cemetery. Lena Ruth Whitney is survived by three sons, Russell Whitney of Ft. Dodge, Clay Whitney of Ida Grove, Ronald Whitney of Eldon, Mo.; nine daughters, Elizabeth Cronk of Cambridge, Margaret Harrop of Cambridge, Esta Freeland of Huxley, Harriet Elder of Hudson Fla., Nadine Birkestrand of Cambridge, Gwen Sydness of Huxley, Eloise of Huxley, Oneita Hill of Elkhart and Wanda Whattoff of Ames; 33 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Leota Scott of Maxwell."

Nevada Public Library obituary file, Nevada, Iowa. AMES DAILY TRIBUNE, Weekender Edition, Sat., Aug. 25, 1973. "FUNERAL SERVICES SET FOR CAMBRIDGE WOMAN. Lena Ruth Whitney, 84, died at her home in Cambridge Friday afternoon. Funeral services will be Monday at 1:30 p.m. from the White Oak Church near Cambridge. Burial will be in the Maxwell cemetery. Mrs. Whitney is survived by three sons, Russell, Fort Dodge; Clay, Ida Grove and Ronald, Eldon, Mo.; nine daughters, Elizabeth Cronk, Margaret Harrop and Nadine Birenstrand, all of Cambridge; Esta Freeland, Gwen Sydness and Eloise Tesdall, all of Huxley; Oneita Hill, Elkhart; Harriet Elder, Hudson, Fla. and Wanda Whatoff, Ames. Survivors also include a sister Leota Scott, Maxwell, 33 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren."

Nevada Public Library obituary file, Nevada, Iowa. NEVADA JOURNAL 25 August 1973. "LENA RUTH WHITNEY. - Lena Ruth Whitney, 84, died at her home in Cambridge Friday afternoon. Funeral services will be Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the White Oak Church with burial at the Maxwell Cemetery. Lena Ruth Whitney is survived by three sons, Russell of Fort Dodge; Clay of Ida Grove, Ronald of Eldon, Missouri; nine daughters, Elizabeth Cronk of Cambridge, Margaret Harrop of Cambridge, Esta Freeland of Husley, Harriet Elder of Hudson, Florida, Nadine Birkestrand of Cambridge, Gwen Sydness of Huxley, Eloise of Huxley; Oneita Hill of Elkhart, and Wanda Whatoff of Ames; 33 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; and one sister Leota Scott, Maxwell,."