The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

Funeral Service for Anabel E. Yates, 97, of Ekalaka, will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Ekalaka with Pastor Steve DeFord officiating.

Visitation will take place one hour prior to service. Burial will follow at Alzada Cemetery.

Anabel Yates passed away at Dahl Memorial Healthcare in Ekalaka on April 7, 2022. 

Anabel was born October 30, 1924 in Belle Fourche, SD to Austin and Stella Westland Whitney. Joining the family later were siblings Beverly, Chester, and DeWilton. Anabel grew up and received her early schooling in Alzada. After the death of their mother, Anabel and Beverly moved to Ekalaka and continued their education. It was during this time that Anabel met her future husband, Byron Yates. Byron and Anabel were married September 9, 1942 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Following World War II the couple returned to Ekalaka for a time then relocated to California where they raised their two sons, Larry Robert and Jerry Austin Yates.

Anabel worked many years for Dennison Eastman. Anabel was an avid bowler, loved cats and had an extensive collection of the critters. She could usually be found with a book close at hand from the time she was a young woman. Following Byron's death in 1981, Anabel returned to Ekalaka where she made her home until the time of her death. 

Anabel is survived by her two sons, Larry Yates and Jerry Yates as well as grandchildren Sean Yates, Shannon Yates Plessel, Kelly Yates, Austin Yates, and Ashley Yates and several great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving Anabel are four very special grandchildren: Randi Lovec, Eric Lovec, Alex Lovec, and Cory Lovec. 

Preceding her in death were her parents, Austin and Stella Whitney, husband Byron Yates, sister Beverly Cline, a grandson Jerry Yates Jr., and a special friend Emil Lovec.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at stevensonfuneralhome.com .

Arrangements by Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka