Janet L. Yost, 81, of Colorado Springs, CO and formerly of Kearney died Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at the Village at Skyline Skilled Nursing Facility in Colorado Springs, CO.
Funeral services will be Monday, April 16, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Kearney. Rev. Stan Murdoch will officiate and burial will be at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation is planned Sunday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney or prior to services at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Kearney Literacy Council, First Baptist Church, Kearney, or Judevine Center for Autism, St. Louis. A message of condolence, tribute or memory can be left at www.hlmkfuneral.com. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements.
She was born November 10, 1930 in Columbus, NE to Everett and Marion (Sidwell) Judevine. She graduated from Kearney High School in 1948. She attended Hastings College for 1 1/2 years where she became engaged. Janet had many fun memories at Taylor Hall, where she made lifelong friends. She later took on the challenge and achieved a lifetime goal of a completing her college education. She graduated from Kearney State College, in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics.
On June 18, 1950 she married Milton R. Yost at the First Presbyterian Church in Kearney. The couple resided on Honeybee Acres north of Kearney where they raised a family. She took care of the bookkeeping for the family honey business, Platte Valley Bee Farms, until Milt retired.
Janet became very active in the Kearney Community and was recognized as follows:
- Honorary member of the National Missions of the United Presbyterian church 1972
- Sertoma Award For Significant or Meritorious Service to Mankind,1986;
- The Maynard Jensen Memorial Award for Outstanding 1995 Literacy Volunteer of Nebraska
- Kearney Hub Freedom Award - Service Organizations-For outstanding Volunteer Service, 1996;
- Clara Barton - Meritorious Volunteer Red Cross - Leadership 1998;
- VIVA - Very Important Volunteer Award - Red Cross Ft. Kearney Chapter
- Red Cross - International Services Conference - for effective delivery of services to the community, including chairing Annual Inter-Cultural Events for multiple years. She also started and maintained a Language Bank to help provide communication in medical crises.
Janet was a committed leader of 4-H clubs, Cub Scouts, Campfire Girls Bible Studies, Sunday School and VBS. She traveled to Romania in the late 90’s for a short term Mission Trip.
She served as a tutor and trainer using the Frank Laubach method of ‘Each One Teach One’ bringing numerous individuals to the joy of reading and writing English. She was the Buffalo County Chapter Chairman for the Board of Directors of The Literacy Council and was active for many years recruiting other tutors.
Janet belonged to the Evening Belles Friendship Club, formerly an extension club, for 50 years and treasured the members as lifelong friends.
She also belonged to the Monday Book Club, The Red Hat Society, the Golden K Kiwanis Club, Red Cross Board, and contributed to the life of several churches, most recently, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Kearney.
She is survived by her sister, Lois Blackwell, St. Louis, cousin, John Putnam, Columbus. Daughters Teresa “Terry” Westing and her husband Dan Kover, of Madison, WI; Laurie and her husband David Tryggestad of Greeley, CO; Son Richard “Rick” and his wife Kristen of Colorado Springs, CO. Rick was by her side as she took her last breath.
Grandchildren include Lance (Charlotte) and Julie Westing, Steve and Becky Tryggestad, Aleigha Marin (David) Hans, Erika and Austin Yost, and great grandchildren: Avery Nickerson, Jonathan Hans and Sierra Westing, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2000, and infant daughter, Julie in 1963, and her mother, Marian Sidwell, 1997.
Her enduring servant heart and gift of hospitality will be greatly missed by her friends and family.