Erna Yates

Erna Yates passed away on September 11, 2023 just 17 days shy of her 100^th birthday. Erna was born to Louis and Marie Keyes of Kansas City, Kansas on September 28, 1923. Through her brother Bill, she was introduced to her husband, Cole Yates and the two married on May 18, 1947. Cole and Erna made their home in Kansas City, Missouri with their two children Mary Beth and Bill.

In the late 40’s, Erna began working for Missouri Pacific Railroad. After retiring in the early 80’s, she kept herself occupied with volunteer work at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. She was a member of the Daughters of Isabelle and served on the Altar Society. She loved doing ceramics with the ladies from church and one of her favorite pastimes was to play the organ.

If you knew Erna/Mom/Grammie/Yates, you know she had a sweet tooth and basically lived on ice cream and coffee. She almost always had a smile on her face and had a love for gatherings and parties. She will be greatly missed.

Erna is survived by her daughter, Mary Beth Davis; five grandchildren Eric (Haley) Davis, Katie (John) Williams, Jamie (Gabe) Garrow, Bridget (Travis) Smither, and Alex Yates; and four great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her parents, brother Bill Keyes, son Bill Yates, and son-in-law Jim Davis.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 815 E. Meyer Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64131; or the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.