Lena K. Yanney

1927 - 2022

Lena K. Yanney, 95, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Linden Court with her family by her side. 

Lena was born on June 20, 1927, in Kearney, NE the daughter of John M. and Selma (Zamel) Jacob.  Lena was raised on farms around Cozad, and graduated from Cozad High School in 1945.  She took coursework at Kearney State Teacher’s College to become a country schoolteacher and taught in Willow Island.  She then decided to make a career change and completed beauty school in Grand Island, then went to work at the salon at the Yancey Hotel. Lena married Vernon G. Yanney on October 19, 1952, at St. George Orthodox Church in Kearney. Vernon’s work eventually took them to Red Cloud where he was a high school teacher and coach, and Lena again became a country schoolteacher.  Brenda was born during this time. The family then moved to North Platte in 1956 and Lena was a homemaker.  Wayne was born in 1962.  Lena eventually worked part-time as a beautician again, then was a reading para-professional in the North Platte Public Schools for several years.  She later went to work for dear friends Harold and Nell Knobel as a receptionist in their refrigeration business.  She was a volunteer with the Lincoln County Historical Museum and had been a member of Does. Lena was a 55-year member of the First United Methodist Church.  She was an avid reader, enjoyed playing cards with friends, and enjoyed cooking and baking.  She loved entertaining and welcoming family and friends into her home. 

Lena was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Vernon; brothers Edward, Sam, Charlie, Milford, Abe, Robert, and Joe; sisters Edna, Hazel, and Carolyn. Those left to cherish Lena’s memory are her daughter, Brenda of Blue Springs, MO; son, Wayne of North Platte; sister-in-law Shirley Jacob of Buffalo, WY; brothers-in-law Mike (Gail) Yanney of Omaha, Paul Steinbrink of Kearney; several nieces and nephews and their families, and many cherished friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at First United Methodist Church in North Platte with Pastor Michael Evans officiating.  Graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Kearney Cemetery, Kearney, NE. Visitation will be held at Carpenter Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, December 28th from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Memorial contributions are suggested to First United Methodist Church or to the Lincoln County Historical Museum.  Carpenter Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.  Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed to the family at carpentermemorial.com.