Paula M. Yankee

1951 - 2025

Paula M. Yankee

August 2, 1951 - November 21, 2025

Paula Marie Yankee, 74 of Zimmerman, MN passed away Friday, November 21, 2025, in Maplewood, MN. Paula was born in Ashland, WI, the daughter of Gerald & Eleanor Yankee.

Paula was a fastidious, well-read, successful career woman. She migrated to California for 12 years atter obtaining her undergraduate degree in Library Science. After acquiring her first master's degree in records management, she started a career on the administrative side at NBC where she travelled the country attending many ARMA - American Records Management Association conferences and was also a runner completing over 20 marathons. Upon moving back to the Midwest, she settled down in the countryside of central Minnesota where she married, had a child and later attained a Master of Fine Arts in French Literature. As Projects and Compliance Manager for the Anoka County Government Center, she oversaw computer and telecommunications system implementations, retiring after 27 years. She adventured to 15+ countries to experience her love of European culture, art, and music.

Paula enjoyed living on her 40 acres of paradise for 38 years where she documented over 200 species of birds and registered her property as a certified wildlife habitat in her retirement. She was a cancer survivor. She was a published author of numerous poems in various chapbooks and poetry periodicals. She was a contributor and benefactor to many environmental non-profit agencies. By her hands, she planted and cataloged over 6000 trees. She will be remembered for her love of books, writing, running, and her love of birds and nature!She will be missed by many across the country.

Survivors include her son, Casimir J Curney of Zimmerman, MN. Sister, Deirdre A Grayson (Michael Riley) of Aurora, CO. Jean Jablonski (widow of brother, Zygmund J Jablonski, II) of Ashland, WI. Frank Hernandez (widower of sister, Lorna Hernandez) of Wautoma, WI. Nephews and nieces: Zygmund J Jablonski, III (Jeanine) of Ashland, WI. Anthony J Jablonski (Lisa) of Ashland, WI, Pebbles Hebert (John) of Ashland, WI. Denise Munoz of Racine, WI, John Hurula (Heather) of Bayside, WI, Kenneth Hurula of Milwaukee, WI and Angela Hernandez of Wautoma, WI. Jasmine Grayson of Edgewood, NM and Asha Van Treese (Freedom) of Aurora, CO. Extended family members including many great nephews and great nieces, and even a great greatgreatnephew and a great greatgreat niece.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald A & Eleanor J Yankee, brother, Zygmund J Jablonski II and sister, Lorna E Hernandez.

A Mass of Christian burial for Paula will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Ashland with Father Jerome D'Souza as Celebrant.

A visitation will take place from 5-7 p.m Thursday, December 4, 2025 at the Mountain Funeral Home in Ashland, WI.

Interment will take place in St. Agnes Cemetery following the Mass.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Mountain Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ashland and Mellen, WI.