Betty I. Yokum, 95, Iola, Kansas, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, at Greystone in Iola. She was born Sept. 15, 1922, in Hiawatha, the daughter of Thomas O. and Irene Elizabeth (Buehler) Waugh. Betty lived in Hiawatha, Miami, Florida and Oskaloosa, before moving to Iola with her family in 1929.
She graduated from Iola High School in 1940 and then attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., and later the University of Iowa. On Nov. 10, 1943, Betty married Harold D. Yokum and they made their home in Iola. They joined her grandfather, David C. Waugh, and her father, Thomas O. Waugh, in the operation of the Waugh Funeral Home. They eventually became owners of the family business and operated Waugh-Yokum Funeral Home until 1982 when it became Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapels. At that time their son, David Yokum, continued with the fourth generation funeral home before retiring in 2016. Her husband preceded her in death on March 30, 2011.
Betty enjoyed music and for years played trumpet in the Iola City Band and Iola Area Symphony Orchestra. She also was an avid bridge player and belonged to numerous bridge clubs. Betty was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, Order of Eastern Star, V.F.W. Auxiliary, and Alpha Delta Pi Sorority.
She is survived by two sons, David Yokum and wife Nancy, Iola, and Tom Yokum and wife Bev, Waverly; one daughter, Mary Mohr and husband Gene, Yates Center; seven grandchildren, Lorrie Bell and Seth, Glenna Stewart and Brady, Thomas Yokum and Melanie, Ben Yokum, David Mohr, Bryan Mohr and Emily, and Rebecca Carr and Cache; five great-grandchildren, Sage Bell, Rhett Bell, Owen Yokum, Grace Stewart and Mikaela Mohr.
Her graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Highland Cemetery, Iola. Memorials are suggested to the Iola City Band and may be left with Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
Betty Yokum
