Dr. Matthew David Yelle

1929 - 2025

Yelle, Dr. Matthew D. “Matt” age 96 of Anoka. On October 8, 2025, Dr. Matt Yelle passed away at home at the age of 96 with his loving family close by. Matthew David Yelle was born in Pittsburgh, PA on August 18, 1929, the youngest of three children of Ann Kilcullen and Matthew Ferdinand Yelle. When Matt was four years old his father was stricken with MS and the family moved to his mother’s family home. Matt then grew up in the Irish household of his grandparents Thomas and Mary Kilcullen from County Sligo, Ireland. Working in a pharmacy and, in the summers, in the open hearth of the steel mills of Pittsburgh helped Matt attend the University of Pittsburgh and also their Medical School. In his last year of Medical School, on August 21, 1954, he married Barbara Hill, a school teacher, also from Pittsburgh. She was a friend of his lab partner’s wife. They thought Matt and Barbara belonged together. They were right! While an intern Matt and Barbara started their family with baby Barbara. Upon completing his internship at Southside Hospital, Pittsburgh, Matt found it necessary to go into military service because of the doctor’s draft. He enlisted in the Air Force and was trained as a flight surgeon. He and Barbara were delighted to be stationed at Phalsbourg Air Base, France with concurrent travel. In February 1957, the little family traveled together across the North Atlantic to Europe on a troop ship. While in France, Matt traveled with his ever growing family to many countries in Europe. He also traveled to Turkey and North Africa on flight missions. Matt returned home with his family, which now included little Elizabeth (Betsy) and Matthew Charles, both born in Germany, to start his practice. After several months of looking over practices in the U.S., Matt felt that medical practice in Minnesota was superior and settled in Anoka at the Mork Clinic. He was always happy with his choice. Once settled , he and Barbara completed their family with Mary, Thomas, Andrew, and John.

Matt was a joyous person and a man of boundless energy. He could spend the night seeing a patient in the emergency room, delivering a baby, or making a house call and answering the ever-ringing telephone. Then, the next morning, on to a day in the office. Evenings were spent at meetings or choir practice, playing K of C softball or at his children’s various activities, including lots of hockey. Each winter he maintained a hockey rink in the backyard where he was often seen in the midst of the fray. He loved playing with his kids, skating, sledding, bike riding, swimming and camping in their travel trailer. Matt liked to travel, sail, to play and to party, but his main passion was service. He received many service awards over the years from the Boy Scouts of America, the Youth Hockey Association, the Coon Rapids Boxing Club, the Anoka High School Tornado Award, Anoka County Social Services Board, Physicians Health Plan for Outstanding Service, WCCO Good Neighbor Award, and many others. Soon after Mercy Hospital opened, he served as Chief of Staff. He was honored to be chosen by his colleagues as a recipient of the Richard Travis Physician Leadership Award. His retirement years were spent sailing, golfing, traveling, spending time with his large family, and continuing to pursue his passion for service. Doc Yelle practiced medicine at a time when doctors made house calls and received telephone calls at home at any hour and, on a few occasions, calls at the door. He believed that was the way it should be. He truly cared for his patients. Matt leaves behind his loving wife of 71 years, Barbara, and his children, Barbara, Betsy Chamberlain (Alan), Dr. Matthew Charles, Mary Chamness (Dr. James), Andrew, and John. He was predeceased by his son Thomas. He also leaves behind six grandchildren, Megan, Erin, and Matthew Ronald (Katy) Yelle, and Tim (Tiffany), Julie and Joel (Amy) Chamness, and also three great-grandchildren, Marie and Finley Chamness and Matthew Parker Yelle. Matt made the very most of his life. His wife and his children were blessed to be his family. Mass of Christian Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 11 am at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, 525 Jackson Street, Anoka. Visitation one hour prior to Mass at the Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Anoka. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.