Helen F. Gunn Yates

Helen Frances Yates, 88, of Lakeview Village in Lenexa, Kansas, passed away Tuesday morning, September 21, 2010. She had been at the Care Center for several months. Helen was born on January 6, 1922 in Ottawa, Kansas, daughter of Herbert T. and Edna (Thomas) Gunn. At age 3, she won the cutest girl contest in Ottawa. After her family moved to Kansas City she attended E. F. Swinney Grade School, Westport High School, Southwest High School and the University of Kansas City, where she graduated with a BA degree in 1942. On November 21, 1943 she married Zeno Yates at the Country Club Christian Church. She joined her husband at the Air Force base in Merced, California. She was immediately hired by the Base Air Force Hospital as a Lab Technician. In August 1945 she gave birth to their first daughter, Sara, in Kansas City. After returning from the service Helen and Zeno settled in Prairie Village, Kansas where she gave birth to their second daughter, Kathy, in 1957. Helen participated with both her daughters in activities involving school, Girl Scouts, and sports. She also played mixed doubles with Zeno each week. For many years she was the bookkeeper for the family business and enjoyed annual trips around the country. Helen loved to play bridge and do crafts. Helen is survived by her husband Zeno Yates; daughters Kathy Kinnaman and husband Mark, Sara Wiklund and husband Rich; grandchildren Brian Wiklund, Jennifer Brogan, Carrie Kinnaman and Ben Kinnaman; and great-grandchildren Peyton Wiklund, Addison Wiklund, Bo Wiklund and Calum Brogan. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 24, at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road. Interment in Mt. Moriah Cemetery South. Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeview Village Foundation, 9100 Park Street, Lenexa, Kansas 66215. Helen’s family wants to thank the Lakeview Care Center and the Hospice Care of Kansas for their loving care. Condolences may be made at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com. Arrangements under the direction of Mount Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.