Mary Elizabeth Yost

Mary Elizabeth Yost (Czaja), age 90, of Sauk City passed away on January 25, 2024 peacefully at home. She was born on December 8, 1933 in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of John and Caroline (Balos) Czaja. She attended Saint Salomea Elementary and Fenger High School. Her work included the Sauk City Public Library, overseeing the Saint Aloysius school lunch program, and being a family business co-owner.

Mary was a woman of immense warmth, grace, and positivity that touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. Throughout her life, she devoted her time to faith, family, and community. She had a passion for quilting, sewing, savoring a perfect cup of coffee, cooking delicious meals, and exploring the pages of countless books in any library she encountered. Mary took pride in her Polish heritage and customs, showcasing her deep connection through playing the accordion and sharing her love of the cuisine, especially Polish sausage.

She is survived by her loving husband, Everett Yost, whom she married in Chicago on March 29, 1964. She is also survived by her daughters Adrienne (Todd) Bestul and Donna (Russell) Craig; her grandchildren Blaine Bestul (fiance Samantha Weinfurter), Cameron and Caroline Craig; and her nieces and nephews Janice Rys, Carol (Czaja) Nagel, Christine (Czaja) Vander Vilet, Tony Czaja, Stan Czaja, Michael Czaja, Marge (Czaja) Pondo, Mary (Czaja) Casillas, and their spouses and children.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Stanley and John Czaja, her sister Irene (Czaja) Rys, an infant sister Angeline, her niece Kathy Rys, her nephews Edward Czaja, Daniel Czaja, and John Rys, brother-in-law Julian Rys, and sister-in-law Mary Czaja.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison. Family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. A private burial will be held at a future date. 

In lieu of flowers, consider a memorial donation to:

Agrace Hospice Center (https://www.agrace.org/donate/donate-today/), 

Friends of Devils Lake State Park (https://www.friendsofdevilslake.org/donate#:~:text=Donate%20to%20the%20Friends,of %20Devil's%20Lake%20Endowment%20Fund), 

or

Wisconsin Public Radio (https://give.wpr.org/page/54094/donate/1).

We would like to thank our family and friends for their support during this difficult time. Special thanks to Dr. Sam Lubner and his team at UW Health in Madison, Dr. Maribeth Baker and her team at Sauk Prairie Healthcare, and the hospice care team with Agrace.

We welcome you to share your memories of Mary here on her tribute wall. 

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406