Roberta Yankey

Roberta Yankey was born in rural Denison, Iowa, on August 25, 1920, the daughter of Robert Baer and Anna Miles. She attended rural school and graduated from Denison High School in 1936. After teaching for 2 years, she married Donald Yankey July 29, 1941 and raised their children, David and Debra, in a loving and secure home. Roberta was a longtime member of Denison First United Methodist Church, leading the effort to establish the first church library. She co-founded the Denison Diamonds 4-H Club and enjoyed encouraging leadership development in young people. She was dedicated to challenging herself to fully appreciate the beauty of God’s world, fine art, the study of books, and Abraham Lincoln’s contributions to history. Her spiritual devotion led her to express care and concern for those around her. Roberta died Saturday, March 26, 2011, at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa, having been blessed with 90 years, 7 months and 1 day. Including her parents, Robert and Anna Baer, Roberta was also preceded in death by her husband, Donald L. Yankey, one granddaughter, Michelle Yankey, one brother, Robert Baer and one sister, Virginia Jorgensen. Survivors include one son: David Yankey and wife, Dona of Denison, Iowa; one daughter: Debra Yankey and husband Al Natvig of Waterloo, Iowa; two grandchildren: Michael Yankey and wife, Sherry of Sloan, Iowa; and Tracy and husband, Gary Arndt of Grand Island, Nebraska; two step-grandsons: Matthew Natvig and wife, Cristina of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Peter Natvig and wife, Kaylene of Waterloo, Iowa; three great grandchildren; three step-great grandchildren; one great great granddaughter; two sisters: Dorothy and husband, Lloyd Carney of La Grange, Indiana; and Nancy Martin of Brooksville, Florida; sister-in-law: June Baer of Lincoln, Nebraska; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.