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Lucille Yukel Obituary – 10/8/2019


Lucille Jane (Jensen) Yukel, age 93, of Hutchinson, formerly of Silver Lake, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019, at Woodstone Senior Living Community in Hutchinson.

She was born Aug. 4, 1926, in Hutchinson, the daughter of Jens Alfred and Louise (Andersen) Jensen. Lucille was baptized as an infant and was confirmed in her faith as a youth at Main Street Lutheran Church (now Faith Lutheran Church) in Hutchinson.

She attended country school at District #49 near Lake Marion, through eighth grade. In 1944, Lucille graduated from Hutchinson High School, followed by Teacher Training School. After teaching four years at several country schools, she worked at 3M for three years.

Lucille was united in marriage to Raleigh Yukel on Oct. 4, 1952, at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. Their marriage was blessed with five children – Connie, Karen, Jim, Judy, and Sandy.

Raleigh and Lucille made their home on the Yukel family farm, north of Silver Lake, where they milked dairy cows and raised chickens and pigs. As a farmer’s wife and mother, Lucille was busy with the children, gardening, and assisting with the farm operations.

After retirement in 1987, they enjoyed traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, and across the country.

Raleigh and Lucille shared 49 years of marriage together, until Raleigh passed away March 28, 2002.

Lucille moved to Woodstone Senior Living Community Jan. 20, 2015.

She is survived by her daughters, Connie Yurek and husband Doug of Silver Lake, Karen Schmidt and husband Gary of Robbinsdale, Judy Pratt and husband Ron of San Antonio, TX, and Sandy Defries of Hutchinson; son, Jim Yukel and wife Chris of Howard Lake; brother, the Rev. Milton Jensen of Castle Rock, CO; brothers-in-law, George Balch Sr. of Chanhassen, and Arthur Nielsen of Lakeville; and sister-in-law Jeanette Price of Winter Park, FL.

Lucille is further survived by grandchildren, Nicole Nickles and husband Ken, Lacy Blackstone and husband Andy, Jeremy Schmidt, Jeffrey Schmidt, Katrina Schmidt, Samantha Pierce and husband Jerad, Jonathan Yukel, Andy Pratt and wife Erin, Mark Pratt and wife Jessica, Scott Pratt and wife Courtney, Amy Bipes, Aaron Koktan and wife Stacy; great-grandchildren Vanessa Nickles, William Nickles, Olivia Blackstone, Desiree Blackstone, Jordan Schmidt, Gabriel Pierce, Micah Pierce, Henry Pratt, Joey Pratt, Hailey Bipes, and Raydon Bipes; great-great-granddaughter Evie Jo Butler; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, Jens and Louise Jensen; husband, Raleigh Yukel; sisters, Irene Balch and Alice Nielsen; brother, LeVern Jensen; sisters-in-law Marian Yukel and Beverly Jensen; granddaughters Alyssa Yukel and Candace Defries; nephew Daniel Balch; sons-in-law Gregory Koktan and Mark Defries; and father-and mother-in-law, Adolph and Martha Yukel.

Lucille’s funeral service took place Monday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, with interment in the Grace Bible Presbyterian Cemetery in Silver Lake.

Pastor Dave Wollan officiated at the services; the organist was Sharon Barton. Special music was “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” Congregational hymns were “Borning Cry” and “How Great Thou Art.”

Casket bearers were Jeremy Schmidt, Jeffrey Schmidt, Andy Pratt, Mark Pratt, Scott Pratt, Jonathan Yukel, and Aaron Koktan.

Memorials are preferred to Faith Lutheran Church Upon this Rock building fund.

Arrangements were by the Dobratz-Hantge Chapels in Hutchinson. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.com.

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