Photo courtesy of Smits Funeral Home, Ltd. - Dyer
Nov 20, 1932 - Sep 14, 2025
Brian, Cindy and family, please accept our sincere condolences. What a wonderful life to be celebrated. May she be at peace with the Lord and John.
Sincerely, Lauren and Jim
Jim Tvrdik
September 17, 2025 | Western Springs, IL | Friend
I am sorry to hear this news. You sure had your mom for a nice, long time. I remember her well. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. Sympathy from a childhood friend.
Thomas Folkert
September 16, 2025 | Kalamazoo, MI, MI | Friend
Kay was known to me through my cousin marrying Brian. Throughout the years she and John would be at family parties. Later we moved near her and John and they were great neighbors. Our Daughter Cassie married Kay’s grandson Andy. I feel she always had a smile for everyone, she was gracious and a classy lady. She raised a great family who carry on her legacy and her faith in her Lord Jesus Christ. You as her family have our sympathies as you recall her life this week.
Sandy & Rob DeVries
September 15, 2025 | St. John, IN | Acquaintance
The funeral service will be live streamed from our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SmitsFH
Kathleen Ruth Yonkman, nee Koenes, age 92, of St. John, IN, went home to her Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 14, 2025. Beloved wife of the late John Yonkman. Loving mother of Brian (Cynthia) Yonkman, Diane (David) Siersema, Debra (Scott) Heersema and Scott (Lynnette) Yonkman. Precious grandmother of Daniel (Carrie) Siersema, Laura (Philip) Mulder, Matthew (Ginnette) Yonkman, Elizabeth (David) Sitter, Andrew (Cassandra) Siersema and Steven (Allison) Yonkman. Proud great-grandmother to 16 and one on the way. Beloved aunt to many nephews and nieces. Preceded in death by her parents John and Elsie Koenes. Dear sister of Leonard (Carol) Koenes and Anna Jean (late Harold) Porte, and sister-in-law of the late Ruth (late Henry) Boer, and Joyce (late Theodore) Bear.
Kay grew up and lived most of her life in Lansing, IL. She was a devoted wife and mother, and worked as a bank clerk, a hairdresser and in various capacities at The Door Store in Munster. Kay was a longtime member of the First PCA Church (formerly First Reformed) in Lansing, where she attended faithfully. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed.
Visitation Friday, September 19, 2025 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Smits Funeral Home 2121 Pleasant Springs Lane (Rt.30/Pleasant Springs Ln.), Dyer, IN, with a funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Wybren Oord officiating. Interment will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery - Lansing, IL. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the First PCA of Lansing, IL, or to a cause of your choice.
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