Thelma L. Yates

June 19, 1927 - January 9, 2015

Funeral services for Thelma will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva. Visitation will take place prior to the funeral service on Tuesday at the Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow the funeral in the Geneva Public Cemetery. Memorials are directed to the Peace Lutheran Church Building Fund, 906 N California Avenue, Hastings, NE 68901. Thelma Louise Yates, 87, of Hastings, Nebraska passed away on January 9, 2015 at Mary Lanning Hospital, Hastings, Nebraska at the age of 87 years, 6 months, and 21 days. Thelma was born in Endicott, Nebraska to Susie and Louis Folkner on June 19, 1927. Thelma grew up in Endicott and worked many years in Lincoln, Nebraska at various jobs. Thelma met Marion Yates, Sr. and they were married August 22, 1953. Born to their union is a son, Marion Jr., and a daughter, Dawn. Thelma’s daughter Cheryl also became a part of the family. Thelma was devoted to her husband and their farming and hog operation in Geneva. She held various jobs throughout the years to make it through the hard times as well as working side by side with Marion. Thelma enjoyed making her house a home, loved her church, Peace Lutheran in Hastings, Nebraska and visits from her grandchildren. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters, Velma Swett and Wanda Danielson and brothers, Duane and Dallas Folkner. She has one living sister, Carol Bilyeu. She is survived by her son, Marion Jr., and his wife, Teri, daughters Cheryl Priest and her husband Gerry Priest and Dawn Nuttall, beloved cousins, John Folkner and Dwight Folkner, five grandchildren, Shane Hansen, Shelly Martinez, Shannon Happold, Brooke Braun and Ryan Yates and 5 great grandchildren.