Donald L. Yankey

Donald L. Yankey was born on the farm at Denison, Iowa, April 12, 1921, the son of Ira J. and Mabel Shives Yankey. He was raised on the farm receiving his elementary education in the rural schools before being graduated from the Denison High School with the class of 1938. Following high school he farmed. On July 29, 1941, Donald was united in marriage with Roberta Baer at the United Presbyterian Church in Vail. Their union was blessed with two children, David and Debra. The Yankey?s farmed east of Denison, where in conjunction with farming, Don was a self-employed carpenter, having built some of the first homes in the Morningside addition in Denison. In 1991 Don and Roberta moved to Denison to their new home that Don had built on 2nd Avenue South. In his spare time Don enjoyed woodworking, fishing and enjoyed helping construct the Kids Kastle in Washington Park. One of his proudest accomplishments was the seven year restoration project of his Model A which he enjoyed driving in many area parades. Don was a longtime active member of the First United Methodist Church in Denison where he served on many boards through the years and ushered from the time he was a teenager until he reached his 80s. Due to failing health Don moved to Eventide Lutheran Home in November of 2003 where he had since resided. Donald died Monday evening, December 17, 2007, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 86 years, 8 months and 5 days. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, John Curtis Yankey, one sister, Opal Whiteing and one granddaughter, Michelle Yankey. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife of over 66 years Roberta of Denison, one son, David Yankey of Denison, one daughter, Debra Yankey and husband, Al Natvig of Waterloo, Iowa, two grandchildren, Michael Yankey and wife, Sherry of Denison and Tracy and husband, Gary Arndt of Grand Island, Nebraska, two step-grandsons and their wives, Matthew and Cristina Natvig of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Peter and Kaylene Natvig of Waterloo, Iowa, 3 great grandchildren, 3 step-great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 20, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Denison with the Rev. Alberta Ervin officiating. Music for the service included a processional organ solo, "Old Rugged Cross", a congregational hymn, "Amazing Grace" accompanied by pianist, Debra Yankey and organist, Nancy Miles, "How Great Thou Art" sang by and an organ solo, "Shalom To You". Pallbearers were David Yankey and Michael Yankey. Interment was at Oakland Cemetery in Denison. Following the services the family invited everyone to join them at the church for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by the First United Methodist Women. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements where online condolences may be directed to www.pfannebecker.com .