Y-Vonna Marie Krekel

Y-Vonna Marie Lee Krekel, 52, died June 6, 2011 at Embracing Hospice in Cumming, Georgia.

She was born on July 23, 1958 in Santana, Kansas. Her parents were Clarence Arnold and Clara Ellen Duncan Lee. She attended Hugoton High School where she developed a love for the German language and participated in the Eagle marching band. In 1976 her marching band traveled to Vienna, Austria to perform in an international competition. After high school graduation she continued her education at York College in York, Nebraska. She graduated with highest honors (4.0 GPA). It was there she met David Wayne Krekel whom she married on June 3, 1978 at the Hugoton Church of Christ in Hugoton, Kansas. She received a bachelors degree in education from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas and a masters degree in education from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. She taught German and English for 24 years at Buhler High School in Buhler, Kansas and completed 5 years of teaching English at Forsyth Central High School in Cumming, Georgia before her illness prevented her from doing one of the things she loved most, connecting with students through literature. Some of her favorite books to share with her students were: To Kill A Mocking Bird, The Adventures of Huck Finn and Animal Farm.
God blessed Y-Vonna and Dave with four children: Daniel Lee, Katherine Anne, Benjamin David and Clarissa Jean. Y-Vonnas hobbies and interests included reading, sewing, baking, traveling abroad and sharing her faith. In her years as a German teacher at Buhler High School she sponsored four overseas trips to Germany.

Y-Vonna used her life as a window to show Gods grace and love to others. She was always eager to learn more of Gods word so that she might share Him with the people around her. She led one of her best friends to Christ by encouraging her to join her in taking the Fishers of Men course; as a result she was baptized at bible camp while she was assisting Y-Vonna as a camp counselor. Even when she was battling cancer she found that she could use her circumstances as tools to show her faith to the people she came in contact with.

Y-Vonnas passing will be mourned by her husband David and their children: Katie Morton and husband David of Charlotte, NC; Ben of York, NE and Clarissa of Cumming, GA. She will also be mourned by her mother Clara and her brothers and sisters: Tommy and wife Carol of Beaver, OK; Jimmy and wife Kathy of Geraldine, MT; Johnny and wife Kristi of Ashland, KS; Danny and wife Tammy of Cumming, GA; Kim wife of Billy Lee, Donalda Eveleigh and husband John of Ulysses, KS. Y-Vonna is also survived by 17 nieces and nephews.

Y-Vonna was preceded in death by her son Daniel Lee Krekel, her father Clarence Arnold Lee, and her brother William (Billy) Dale Lee, and her nephew Justin Thomas Eveleigh.

In lieu of sending flowers, the family would encourage you to make a tax deductable donation to an organization that helped Y-Vonna greatly during her battle with cancer. The organization is called the TurningPoint. The following link can be used to make your donation: myturningpoint.org/donate/. The form will have a name field where you can enter in Y-Vonna Krekels name. The TurningPoint will send an immediate receipt for your donation via email.

The Georgia Celebration of Life Services for Y-Vonna will be held on Wednesday June 8th, 2011 at Grace Chapel Church of Christ, 6755 Majors Road, Cumming, GA 30028. The viewing will held at 2-4pm. and the service will begin at 4:00pm.

The Kansas Celebratio of Life Services for Y-Vonna will be held on Saturday June 11, 2011 at Eastwood Church of Christ, 2500 N. Plum, Hutchinson, KS 67501. The viewing will held at 9-11 am. and the service will begin at 11 am. Graveside services to follow at the West Buhler Cemetery in Buhler, KS.

Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home & Cremation Services,( for the Georgia related services ) 155 Professional Park Drive, Cumming, Georgia. (678) 455-5815.

Elliott Mortuary located in Hutchinson, Kansas will be incharge of the final services and interment. Their phone number is (620) 663-3327.