Yvonne Marie Jokela

Yvonne, also known as “Missy” and “Yahoo”, was born on Aug. 22, 1956 in Waco, Texas. She was the oldest of five children of Allan and Nancy (Koski) Jokela.

Yvonne resided in Rock most of her life. While growing up in a military family, she also lived at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base and in lower Michigan, Texas, Virginia, Alabama, and Japan.

Yvonne graduated in 1974 from Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery, Alabama and later attended Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba. She was briefly employed as a flag girl for a road construction company and a draftsman for K & K Manufacturing Company of Rock. Most recently, she worked many years in the local potato industry.

Family and friends describe Yvonne as a kind and gentle soul. She enjoyed playing music, gardening, drawing and creative various crafts. She also had a great love for horses and nature, especially the Escanaba River.

Yvonne is survived by John Linjala, her partner for the past 43 years. Additional survivors include: her mother, Nancy Jokela of Rock; siblings Heidi (Steve) DeLongchamp of Ishpeming, Allan Jokela Jr. of Rock Jenny (Tom Linjala) Lancour of Gladstone and David Jokela of Rock; nieces and nephews Erik DeLongchamp, Isaac DeLongchamp, Maija (Steve) Veihl, Sara DeLongchamp, Earl (Tamara) Lancour, Elle (David) Dykowski, Jenny DeLongchamp, Eloise Veihl, Henry Veihl, and Roland Lancour; Aunt Marlene and Uncle Bob Koski; Aunt Yoshino Jokela; Uncle Paul Jokela and several cousins.

Yvonne’s father Allan Jokela Sr., preceded her in death in 2013. Grandparents Bertha and John Jokela and Elsie and Emil Koski, Uncle Harold Jokela, Aunt Barb Jokela, and Aunt Betty and Uncle David Koski also preceded her in death.

Yvonne’s family will conduct a private funeral service at a later date. Skradski Funeral Home of Gladstone is assisting with arrangements.

For additional information or to leave the family a message of condolence, go to www.skradskifuneralhomes.com.