Teresa Marie Yale passed away at her home in
Milan, Kansas on November 9, 2022 just weeks shy of her 69th birthday. She was born on December 18, 1953 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Emporia, Kansas to Robert Harley and Betty Jo (Spencer) Lee. Her father being in the United States Air Force and the family stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi at the time, her mother had moved back close to her parents for the birth. From there Teresa lived all over the United States as well as England and Germany as her father continued his career. Starting school while being stationed in Salina, Kansas, she also attended schools in Biloxi and England. Teresa started high school in South Carolina, and attended some in Germany as well as Wichita, Kansas, before obtaining her GED. After a move to Mountain Home, Idaho, Teresa started business school before meeting her first husband. After moving back to Wichita, Teresa worked as a secretary or administrative assistant for places such as an optometrist’s office, a photo shop, and then a postal presort business. After being divorced for several years, she met a man she could relate to, Howard Roland Yale, as he had spent many years serving before retiring from the United States Air Force. They were united in marriage on January 20, 1993 in Wichita. His children became hers: Danny, David, Deborah, and Kevin. The couple moved to Milan, Kansas in 1994 but both continued to work in Wichita. Teresa retired in 2000. There was nothing more important to Teresa than family and she loved spending time with all of them. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they got a lot of her attention. Teresa also loved her dogs and kittens; enjoyed knitting, her flowers and plants; and traveling. The couple would go all over the US to visit family on her side as well as his. With her upbringing and being married to a career military man, Teresa was very active in the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She served as president for Post 881 and Post 7253, as well as the 5th District. Later in life Howard and Teresa started attending the Plains Church in Argonia, Kansas. Teresa was also proud of her Irish and Cherokee Indian heritage and would often say it was why she was so direct and abrupt. Teresa is preceded in death by her father, Robert “Bob” Lee. She is survived by her husband, Howard of the home; children: Daniel Yale (Paige) of Wichita, David Yale (Heather) of Murray Kentucky, Deborah Jones (Darrin) of Topeka, Kansas, Kevin Yale (Michelle) of Wichita; mother, Betty J. Lee of Milan; siblings: Jesse Lee (Tracy) of Mountain Home, Idaho, Sherry Lavachek (Dale) of Hunters, Washington, and Shirley Towne (Forest) of Brinnon, Washington; eleven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; as well as other relatives and friends. Funeral Service was 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 14, 2022 at Plains Church, Argonia with Pastor Kirk Taylor officiating. Burial followed at the Milan Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Plains Church and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th St ~ Harper, Kansas 67058. Online condolences can be left at www. prairierosefuneralhomes.com
