Alana Ann Whitney, 44 , daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on November 8, 2024, at the age of 44. Born on November 25, 1979, in Minneola, Kansas, to Keith and Barbara Whitney, Alana grew up on a farm near the small town of Fowler, Kansas. Alana attended Fowler schools where she excelled in academics, multiple sports, and extracurricular activities.  During this time she developed a competitive spirit and love for basketball which would carry into college. She attended Friends University in Wichita, KS and also studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain. She graduated from Friends earning dual degrees in International Business and Spanish. She later completed her Master's degree from Baker University.

Throughout her career, Alana inspired countless students as both a teacher and a coach. She was currently teaching Spanish at Haysville West Middle School along with coaching girls basketball. She was loved by her students and colleagues alike.

Alana was an avid fan of KU basketball, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the New York Yankees.  She also cherished her two dogs, Nash and Remi, and frequently fostered animals in need. Her most treasured role was that of "Auntie Nana." She loved her seven nieces and nephews and they loved her.

Alana was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Martha Walker, and paternal grandparents Duward & Viona Whitney. She is survived by her grandfather, Kenneth Walker of Fowler, KS; parents, Keith and Barbara Whitney of Fowler, KS; her sister, Jerae Rinehart (Todd) of Andover, KS; her brother, Tyson Whitney (Melissa) of Fowler, KS; and her beloved nieces and nephews: Adleigh, Ezree, Kenvie, Wesson, Pierce, Titus, and Jett.

Alana's memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, students, and all who were touched by her ambition, competitive spirit, and love for life.

A "Celebration of Life" will be held at Generations Church, 425 Greenvalley Drive, Andover, KS, on Saturday, November 16th at 1:30 PM.

Alana's Celebration of Life will be live-streaming on Saturday. Please use the link below to join:

https://www.youtube.com/live/gokW6BlBhMM?si=EOf4A_EwaSPiomlu

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to Haysville West Middle School G3 program (Good grades, Good attendance, Good behavior) or Wichita Animal Action League (WAAL).