LeRoy "Lee" John Yanney 1928 - 2017

YANNEY, HANSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/16/2017 at 10:35:46

Sioux City Journal
15 January 2017

SIOUX CITY | LeRoy "Lee" John Yanney, 88, longtime resident of Sioux City, went home to be with the Lord Jesus Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, at a Sioux City hospital, after a brief illness.

Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Family Worship Center, 1315 Indian Hills Drive, Sioux City, with Pastor Bill Yanney officiating. An interment service, with the Rev. Lucas Rice officiating, will be in St. Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church Cemetery, located within Graceland Cemetery, southwest section, at 2701 S. Lakeport St., Sioux City. A luncheon and social gathering will precede services noon to 1:45 p.m. Saturday at the Family Worship Center. Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the Family Worship Center. Arrangements are with Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Lee was born to Mose and Wadia Yanney on Jan. 19, 1928, in Lexington, Neb. He graduated in 1945 from Northeast High School in Lincoln. He graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts from Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, where he was a member of the school's traveling choir and performed lead roles in musical productions.

In 1956, he married the one true love of his life, Gayla "Gay" Jane Hanson from Sioux City. They moved to Waterloo, Iowa, in 1960. In 1962, they moved back to Sioux City, where they raised four children.

After working in sales in various companies, Lee settled into a long career at Guarantee Roofing and Siding Company, owned by his brother, James Yanney, and niece, Charese Yanney, and worked as a salesman until he retired. He was an outstanding salesman and eventually became sales manager. He enjoyed traveling and building long-lasting relationships with homeowners and businesses throughout the Siouxland area. He was always appreciative of his customers' business.

Lee was an active and faithful member of St. Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church in Sioux City, where he served on the board and was choir director for more than 40 years. In his latter years, he was a member of Family Worship Center, where his son, the Rev. Bill Yanney, is pastor. Lee was a dedicated Christian, who loved Jesus and His church, as well as his wife and family.

Lee was also an active member of the Sioux City YMCA, where he served on the board and promoted fitness and strong Christian values.

Lee enjoyed a long life filled with family, friends, music, golf and Nebraska Cornhusker football. He was known as a kind, generous and honest man who respected all.

Lee is survived by Gay, his wife of 60 years; his son, Jon (Wendy) Yanney and children Rayce, Ryan and Reid, all of Grand Prairie, Texas; his son, Pastor William "Bill" (Pastor Trish) Yanney and children Emily, Austin, Megan and Lucas, all of Sioux City; his daughter, Candy (Todd) Humphrey and children Arielle, Ian, Hayden and Logan, all of Battle Ground, Wash.; his son, Dr. Robert "Bob" (Cari) Yanney of Dallas, Texas; siblings and in-laws, Loretta (Mike) Kacere of Wahoo, Neb., Phyllis (Don) David of Grand Rapids, Mich., Lorraine (Don) Nemer of Gregory, S.D., and David (Pam) Yanney of Bakersfield, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, James ("Dodo") Yanney of Sioux City; his sister, Yvonnie (Bill) Pape of Sioux City; sister-in-law, Karen Marshall of Anthon, Iowa; and nephews and niece, Steve David, Chris Yanney and Lisa Nemer.

Lee had especially close ties with all of his siblings and extended family throughout the Siouxland, Omaha and Kearney, Neb., areas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be applied to works of the church, and may be made to Family Worship Center, LeRoy Yanney Memorial Fund.