Funeral services to honor the life of Kerjil Inez Yocom, 87, of Emmons, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Emmons Lutheran Church. The Rev. Julie Fiske will officiate. Interment will be at Oaklawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Kerjil died Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, at St. John’s Lutheran Home surrounded by the love of her family.
Kerjil Inez Yocom was born Jan. 7, 1922, to Nels H. and Sophie (Trytten) Rasmusson in Emmons. She lived in the Emmons area all her life. Kerjil was baptized and confirmed at the Emmons Lutheran Church where she was a life time member. She graduated from Emmons Public School in 1940. Kerjil attended Business College in Minneapolis and then spent several years working at First National Bank in Emmons. On Nov. 23, 1950, Kerjil was united in marriage to Steven F. Yocom at the Emmons Lutheran Church. Together, they farmed north of Emmons until retirement, Steve still lives on the farm. Kerjil spent some time babysitting and many years teaching lower grades in Sunday School. She had a true passion for children and always made a point to see any baby that was in her presence. Kerjil served as financial secretary at Emmons Lutheran Church for many years, was a member of the Emmons Lutheran WELCA, and a member of the Emmons American Legion Auxiliary. Kerjil enjoyed volunteering at school, church, 4-H, and in the community. She also enjoyed reading, having coffee with friends, attending neighborhood birthday parties, spending time with her friends and family and especially her grandchildren. Kerjil left a permanent imprint in the heart of everyone she knew and a few she didn’t.
Survivors include her husband, Steve; four children: Patricia Yocom of Emmons, John (Paula) Yocom of Emmons, Kriste (Gary) Saffert of North Mankato, and Laurie (Jerome) Wille of Truman; seven grandchildren: Jessica (Jared) Gordon of Emmons, Andrew Yocom of St. Paul (Fiancée Kimberly Helgeson), Michael Yocom of Farmington (special friend Amy Bengston), Tommy Saffert of North Mankato, Jackie Jo Saffert of Minneapolis, Dawn Wille of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Kevin Wille of Truman; three great-grandchildren: Sophia Marie, Grant, and Ethan Gordon of Emmons; sisters-in-law: Alice Rasmusson of Albert Lea and Shirley(Harold) Reindal of San Clemente, Calif.; several nieces and nephews; and a host of relatives and friends.
Kerjil was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Hattie Saxton, Cora Emmons, Katharine in infancy and Constance Newcomb; brothers: Neil and Robert Rasmusson; and other family and friends.