Cathie Lee Yakum

Cathie Lee Yakum, age 72, of Liberty, Missouri, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family. While her passing leaves an immeasurable void, her legacy of faith, kindness, generosity, and devotion to family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

Born on February 7, 1954, to Earl Eugene Stocker and Bonnie Lee Stocker, Cathie grew into a woman whose greatest joy was caring for others. Her life was defined by a servant's heart, a welcoming spirit, and a deep commitment to family and faith. She had an extraordinary ability to make everyone feel important and loved. Cathie truly never met a stranger, and wherever she went, she formed lasting friendships.

Family was the center of Cathie's world. She loved gathering loved ones around her table, creating family traditions, celebrating holidays, and making memories that would be cherished for generations. Over the years, her heart grew to include not only her children and grandchildren, but many others whom she lovingly welcomed as family. Her home was a place of comfort, laughter, acceptance, and unconditional love.

Cathie's professional life reflected her determination and lifelong commitment to learning. She spent 23 years working in the mortgage industry before dedicating three years to caring for children as a daycare provider. She later worked in customer service at Pella Corporation for three years. Never one to stop growing, Cathie returned to school and earned her Associate of Applied Science degree from Indian Hills Community College. She was then recruited to Principal Financial Group, where she worked for four years before continuing her career with Wells Fargo. After ten years with Wells Fargo, she retired in 2016, leaving behind a reputation for hard work, professionalism, and dedication.

Cathie's commitment to service extended beyond her career. As the wife of a United States Navy serviceman, she faithfully supported her husband throughout his military career. In recognition of her unselfish, faithful, and devoted service, she was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the United States Navy on May 23, 1996. Her unwavering encouragement and sacrifices helped make possible her husband's lasting contribution to our nation.

Her faith was a guiding force throughout her life. Cathie served as a Catechism Teacher at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Escondido, California, sharing her faith and nurturing young hearts. On February 13, 2016, she was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of her outstanding service to youth. She remained devoted to her faith throughout her life and was a faithful member of Saint James Catholic Church in Liberty, Missouri.

Cathie was also proud of her heritage and her membership in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

When she was not caring for family and friends, Cathie found joy in cooking, gardening, decorating, and researching her family's history and genealogy. She loved discovering the stories of those who came before her and preserving those memories for future generations.

Travel brought Cathie great happiness. She treasured visits to Cancun, Barcelona, Spain, Vatican City, and Pompeii, Italy. Later, she discovered a love for cruising, which opened the door to even more adventures. She and her beloved husband, Dave, spent many wonderful weeks exploring new places together and creating treasured memories along the way.

Cathie was preceded in death by her parents, Earl Eugene Stocker and Bonnie Lee Stocker; and her beloved daughter, Erin Lee Johnson.

She is survived by her devoted husband of many years, David Alan Yakum of Liberty, Missouri; her daughter, Andrea Marie Tapps and husband, Kyle Edward Tapps, of Liberty, Missouri; her son, David Alan Yakum Jr. and wife, LeeAnn Whistler, of Carlisle, Iowa; her grandchildren, Damien Yakum, Isabella Tapps, and Dalton Yakum; her cherished Thai family, Note (Sinchai Suptaveeying) and wife, Bee (Pichanun Suptaveeying), and their children, Aiden and Dylan, of Naperville, Illinois; her sister, Cindy Lasky and husband, Jim Lasky, of San Diego, California; her brother, Phillip Stocker, of Simi Valley, California; as well as numerous nephews, a niece, extended family members, and countless friends whose lives were enriched by her love and friendship.

Those who knew Cathie will remember her generous heart, her welcoming smile, her unwavering support, and the way she always put others before herself. She was only ever a phone call away and never hesitated to offer help, encouragement, or a listening ear. Her love was freely given, and her impact on the lives around her cannot be measured.

Though she is no longer with us in body, her spirit lives on through the family she cherished, the friendships she nurtured, the faith she shared, and the countless lives she touched. Her memory will remain a source of comfort, strength, and inspiration for all who loved her.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23

A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at St. James Catholic Church, 309 S. Stewart Rd., Liberty, MO 64068, starting at 10:00 a.m. with a Memorial Mass following at 11:00 a.m. After the Memorial Mass there will be a luncheon at St. James Catholic Church. The committal will be at Resurrection North Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

Family and friends are invited to gather to honor Cathie's life, share memories, and celebrate the love and joy she brought to so many.

In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions to Make-A-Wish (www.wish.org) or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (www.cff.org).