Richard Charles Yakel

Richard Yakel Obituary

RICHARD CHARLES YAKEL Richard Charles Yakel, age 80, passed on Sunday, January 16, 2011 within the arms of his wife and daughters at St Peter's Nursing Care, Penick Village, Southern Pines. He was born in Jacksonville, Illinois on October 31, 1930 to Dr. Ralph and Mirah Jones Yakel, and then spent his youth in Decatur, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois where he also married his wife Mary Ann Mayne Yakel in the December of his senior year. Dick entered the Army as a lieutenant after graduation spending a year in Aberdeen, Maryland, and then to Stuttgart, Germany. He then joined the 3M Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. No happier man than he, Dick's tenure at 3M was one of pride, loyalty and integrity. He travelled nationally and internationally representing the Company he loved. In retirement he and Mary Ann spent time between homes in Pinehurst, North Carolina (CCNC), Vero Beach, Florida and the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Dick especially enjoyed serving on the Boards of the Pinehurst Fair Barn and the College of Visual Arts, St, Paul, Minnesota (formerly the School of Associated Arts) among other volunteer work - and of course, he cherished his time on the links with friends. Dick became a resident of St. Peter's Nursing Care, Penick Village, in Spring 2008. Joining him at Penick, Mike Miller (Moore Registry) supported Dick as his caregiver, companion and friend. The Penick Nursing Care staff and therapists have been without a doubt truly incredible. The family would like to extend a special thank you to a treasured list of names at Penick that have become part of Dick's family. A Gentleman and "Gentle Man", Dick is survived by his wife Mary Ann, daughter Cynthia Ann Paul of Minneapolis (Deephaven), daughter Mary Lynn Yakel Sauer (Jeff), Minneapolis (Medina), sister, Ruth Mary Yakel, Arlington Heights, Illinois and niece Dr. Elizabeth Yakel, Ann Arbor, Michigan; his beloved grandchildren, Brett James Paul, Minneapolis (Eden Prairie), Elizabeth Anne Paul Chwialkowski (Chase), Minneapolis (Maple Grove), Margaret Lynn Skoglund, New York City, Jeffery Charles Sauer, Minneapolis (Medina), and Caroline Elizabeth Sauer, Minneapolis (Medina). Dick was predeceased by his parents, brother Ralph Yakel and beloved daughter, Leslie Payden Yakel. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 24, 2011 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines, NC with Rev. Meaghan Kelly officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Struthers Parkinson's Center, 6701 Country Club Drive Golden Valley, MN 55427. Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is assisting the family. Paid Obituary

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Published by TC Palm on Jan. 21, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Yakel

8 Entries

Frederick Krohn

January 14, 2025

Always a gentleman and great mentor

ROCK LAMANNA

October 26, 2011

I heard of Dick's death last week at the annual SGIA Expo. Since I have been part of the 3M converting family for over 30 years, I asked around the 3M exhibit about Dick like he had never retired. I needed to share to the youth of the 3M booth of the innovators and all of our special mentors and legends of the 1960's and on, of how Dick was a significant coach to me, our family and the success of Vomela Specialty. Dick had class, he was Mr. Cool at 3M, he was proud and shared his global vision. His focus, patience, compassion and passion for business, family and life was valued. We who knew, learned and loved Dick have some idea of how great your loss truly is. Your grief is shared by many.

Fred Harchelroad

June 23, 2011

I first met Dick Yakel in 1976 when his daughter Mary Lynn was attending college in North Carolina. He was a gentleman, devoted to his family and his work. My sympathy to Mary Ann and his entire family. The time I spent with him remains a fond and powerful memory of a great man.

Fred Krohn

February 10, 2011

Our condolences to Mary Ann and the Yakel family.
Dick interviewed me in 1963 for a begining sales career. My wife Mary Jo and I recently sat around the dinner table and recounted the great times that we enjoyed with Dick and Mary Ann especially our first incentive trip to Great Harbor Key. Dick was truly a gentleman in everyway. I wish I had the opportunity to visit him in recent years.
Fred and Mary Jo Krohn

Ron Weber

January 21, 2011

In 1966 Dick gave me the opportunity to join the 3M Decorative Products Department as a sales representative in the Chicago area. Later that year I transferred to the Detroit area as part of Dick's automotive OEM market sales team. Under Dick's sales and marketing leadership we quickly grew our automotive business base to become part of the 3M Decorative Products Division. Dick was a consumate professional in all aspects of his business endeavors. He was also highly regarded and respected by all of our customer contacts. My wife Janet and I send our condolences to Mary Ann and her family.

January 20, 2011

In 1992 I was a business manager in 3M Canada and Dick was my key contact within the Commercial Graphics St Paul team. When I expressed a desire to take on a International assignment Dick Yakel was the individual who "went to bat" for me...and for that I will always be thankful. He was a great friend and mentor. I'm only sorry I did not get to visit with Dick since he retired.
Eldon Walker, London, Ontario, Canada

Don Larson

January 20, 2011

I was asked to take Dick to lunch in the 3M cafeteria on his first full day of work with the company. We later served together in a U.S.Army reserve outfit at Fort Snelling and went to summer camps at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and Camp McCoy , WI .Though separated in 3M by geography and assignments we remained good friends through the years. He was a wonderful fellow and we shall not see his like again.

Reed/Barbara Edstrom

January 20, 2011

We're so sad to hear of Dick's passing. I worked with Dick at 3M from 1972 until his retirement. Dick was a key member of the first generation management team of the business unit that ultimately became the Commercial Graphics Division. The success of CG is largely due to his leadership especially in the area of international business development. He was the consumate professional 3M'er, a man of integrity, kindness and "class" . He was a good friend and mentor. I'm happy that he had a long retirement but sad that he's gone.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary Ann and the family.

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