ESTHER MAUREEN YEAKLEY
Esther Maureen Yeakley, age 78 years, of Hoisington, Kansas, went to be with her Lord on Friday morning, December 9, 2016 at Almost Home, Inc. in Great Bend, Kansas. Maureen, as she was known by family and friends, was born on February 13, 1938 at Penokee, Kansas to John David and Ruth Emily (Rice) McRae. She graduated from Hill City High School in 1955 and then attended Kansas State University, where she met Gary G. Yeakley. The couple was united in marriage on June 2, 1958 at Manhattan, Kansas.
Maureen did a lot of things in her life. She ran farm equipment on the family farm, took care of her three children, and cooked for family and helpers on the farm. She served two terms on the Hoisington School Board, serving as Board President for part of that time. She also served on several 4-H Boards. Maureen worked for Farm Bureau in Great Bend, and owned and operated the Bernina store in Great Bend for many years, doing seamstress work and also taught sewing. She ran an Amway business and babysat grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a great cook, seamstress, and listener. Her final wish in life was to take her family on a cruise to Hawaii. She and twenty of her family members went and tried to fulfill her dream. Cancer took her life 12 days after they got home from the cruise.
Maureen is survived by her husband, Gary G. Yeakley of Hoisington, Kansas; two sons: Steve (and his wife, Tammie) Yeakley of Hoisington, Kansas and Scott (and his wife, Priscilla) Yeakley of Bel Aire, Kansas; one daughter, Cheryl (and her husband, Jim) Brand of Colwich, Kansas; 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; two brothers: John David (and his wife, Marge) McRae of Bayfield, Colorado and Dr. Paul McRae DVM of Hays, Kansas; one sister, Shirley (and her husband, Wes) Radcliff of Hoisington, Kansas; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A Graveside Memorial Service to celebrate Maureen’s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, December 16, 2016 at Great Bend City Cemetery in Great Bend, Kansas. Friends and family will be gathering at Charter Funerals in Great Bend at 12:30 PM on Friday to process to the cemetery. According to Maureen’s wishes, cremation has been chosen. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Almost Home, Inc. in Great Bend, Kansas. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary may be viewed at https://www.charterfunerals.com/locations/great-bend.php.
Arrangements Entrusted To
Charter Funerals
2115 Washington St.
Great Bend, KS 67530
(620) 793-6161