Lena K. Yanney

Lena K. Yanney, 95, passed away on Dec. 21, 2022, at Linden Court, surrounded by her loving family.

Lena was born on June 20, 1927, in Kearney, 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, completed beauty school in Grand Island and worked at the salon at the Hotel Yancey. Lena married Vernon G. Yanney on Oct. 19, 1952, at St. George Orthodox Church in Kearney.

Vernon's work took the family to Red Cloud, where he was a high school teacher and coach, and Lena again became a country school teacher. Brenda was born during this time. The family 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 and as 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 a member of the DOEs. She was a 55-year member of the First United Methodist Church. Lena was an avid reader, enjoyed playing cards with friends and cooking and baking. She loved entertaining and welcoming family and friends into her home.

Lena was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Vernon; brothers, Edward, Sam, Charlie, Milford, Abe, Robert and Joe; and her sisters, Edna, Hazel and Carolyn.

Those left to cherish Lena's memory are her daughter, Brenda of Blue Springs, Missouri; son, Wayne of North Platte; sister-in-law, Shirley Jacob of Buffalo, Wyoming; brothers-in-law, Mike (Gail) Yanney of Omaha and Paul Steinbrink of Kearney; several nieces and nephews and their families; and many cherished friends.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or the Lincoln County Historical Museum. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com.

Funeral service is at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at the First United Methodist Church in North Platte with Pastor Michael Evans officiating. Graveside service is at 3 p.m. at the Kearney Cemetery, Kearney. Visitation is from 1-7 p.m., with family present 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 28, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.