Yolanda Jo Dickinson
Dec. 15, 1961-Aug. 10, 2024
KANSAS CITY – Yolanda Jo Dickinson, Overbrook, left this world Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at KU Medical Center, Kansas City, after a brave two-plus-year battle with multiple myeloma. She was 62.
She was born Dec. 15, 1961, during a blizzard, which may have contributed to her lifelong love of snow. She was the third child born to Duane and Delores (McClelland) Dickinson. She grew up on a farm in the Appanoose community and was a graduate of Appanoose Grade School and Pomona High School. She then attended Allen County Community College, Emporia State University and Friends University (Wichita), where she received a bachelor’s degree in human resource management.
For Yolanda, growing up on the farm was grand, always being outside, riding horseback, playing in the dirt or creek, riding her bicycle or tending the farm animals. For her entire life, she wanted to be outside playing in the dirt and enjoying nature, rather than being inside doing housework.
Yolanda worked for the State of Kansas for 35 years in various positions, the last 23 being with the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, where she retired as a plan administrator of the statewide KPERS 457 Plan (deferred compensation).
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Yolanda participated in antique tractor pulls in Kansas and western Missouri. Her little red McCormick Deering W-30 defeated and tormented many guys with tractors of other brands over the years. She placed first in her class at the Kansas State Fair the first time she pulled there. In the 1980s, she was a founding member and served as secretary of the Kansas Antique Tractor Association.
Yolanda’s list of favorite memberships and activities included the Overbrook Library Board, Overbrook Osage County Fair Board, Overbrook Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Overbrook United Methodist Church, where she sang several years in the church choir and served as treasurer and memorial fund chairperson. She also built a house with Habitat for Humanity in Lawrence, volunteered at Help House in Lyndon, supported Prairie Paws Animal Shelter in Ottawa and the Lawrence Humane Society, attended and participated at various threshing shows throughout the Midwest, and enjoyed traveling with the “Are We There Yet?” group through the Kansas State Bank.
She was preceded in death by her father, Duane; her brother, Doug Dickinson; her aunt, Anita Kennedy; a second cousin, Willsun Mock, who was killed in October 2006 in the war in Bagdad; and a first cousin, Sheldon Mundy.
Yolanda is survived by her good friend and partner, Greg Coker, Overbrook; her mom, Delores Dickinson, Overbrook; her sister, Susan Dickinson (Curt Miller), Overbrook; her sister-in-law, Wendy Fritts Dickinson (Rick Feuerborn), Garnett; her nephew, Ryan Dickinson (Holly), and great-nephew, Tyden; her niece, Amy Dickinson; and other relatives and friends.
A celebration of life service will be announced at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.
Condolences may be left at FeltnerFuneralHome.com.
