Yvonne Carol Newman

1944 - 2024

Yvonne Carol Newman, 80, of Wyoming, MN, formerly of Forest Lake, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 15, 2024, surrounded by her family. Yvonne fought a long battle with ALS with unbelievable courage, acceptance and humor. Unfortunately, she contracted COVID-19 pneumonia and could not fight it.

Yvonne was born on August 23, 1944, in St. Cloud, MN. She graduated from Brooklyn Center High School in 1963. That same year, she married the love of her life, Jerry Newman, and in 1966, they moved to Forest Lake. Over the years, Yvonne worked for Minneapolis Electric, Forest Lake Community Credit and Star Mold. Her favorite job though was with Frito-Lay. Delivering chips to local grocery stores, she got to be known as the Frito Lady. From 1980 to 2000, together with her husband they ran family-owned businesses starting with Newman's Consignment Shop, Newman's Ski and Snowboard Shop, and Newman's Pool and Spa.

Yvonne enjoyed camping, fishing, quilting, snowmobiling, crime tv, reading, riding in the car with Jerry to unplanned destinations, and mostly being with friends and family. In 2002, she discovered the warm weather of Florida and spent the next twenty-two years as a snowbird with her husband Jerry in Fort Myers. On weekends, they could be found selling Yvonne's Streak-Free Cloths and Rada Cutlery at the Fleamasters Flea Market. In 2022, the doctors of Mayo Clinic diagnosed Yvonne with ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gherig's disease. Given the terminal diagnosis, Yvonne and Jerry decided to sell their Florida home and business and make Wyoming their full-time home. Over the next two years, Yvonne lost the use of her body and had to rely on those around her to do everything for her.

Yvonne is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, Jerry Newman; her children, Kimberly (Walter) Paugel, Amy (Glen) Corbett, and Alan Newman; her siblings, Sharon (Tom) Doran, Nancy (Walter) Cieslak, Jenelle (Jim) Nelson, and Gary (Sandy) Sendek; her grandchildren, Gabrielle (fiancé, Josh Salonek) Paugel, Bryce Corbett, and Brooklynn Corbett; her two cherished fur babies, Noodle Lou and Pepper. She will be dearly missed by all.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 AM Saturday, April 26th with visitation beginning at 10 AM at Robert's Family Funeral Home in Forest Lake.