IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
“In Memoriam” listings are expanded paid obituaries, phrased as the family requests, and may include enhanced information or photographs that might not fit within free death notices.
Dorothy Youk
Mass of Christian burial for Dorothy Youk, 89, who passed away March 16, 2024, will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Holy Family Parish, St. Mark’s Church in Marion.
Her family will gather with friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Yazel-Megli Funeral Home, Marion. After visitation, a vigil service will be at 7:30 p.m.
Dorothy was born May 29, 1934, to E.O. and Mary (Winkley) Sandwell.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Ed Sandwell; and her beloved husband, Dennis.
Dorothy was an accomplished musician and played the piano, organ, and ukulele.
In her public debut, Dorothy was organist for the first Christmas Mass at the newly erected St. Mark Catholic Church of Marion in 1951.
She always enjoyed playing her favorite song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Dorothy was amused that she and the heroine of “The Wizard of Oz” both were Dorothys from Kansas.
Upon graduation from Marion High School, Dorothy began her college career in 1952 with a scholarship at the newly founded St. Mary of the Plains College, Dodge City.
She graduated in September, 1955, from Wichita – St. Joseph School of Nursing.
On Oct. 4, 1955, Dorothy married Dennis Youk. They had met at Marion High School when Dorothy was a freshman and Dennis was a senior.
Evidently, it was love at first sight. They were married for 53 years before Dennis passed away Aug. 6, 2009.
Dennis and Dorothy raised their family of four children on a farm west of Durham.
She is survived by her daughter and three sons: Teresa Harris (and husband Kevin) of Roeland Park; Jeff Youk (and wife Cathey) of Wichita along with their son, Jeremy; Justin Youk (and wife Wendy) of Marion; and Jarrod Youk of Hillsboro and his sons, Brandon and Creighton.
As a young, busy homemaker, Dorothy made time to read books and looked forward to receiving her Readers Digest book club selections.
Throughout her life, she wrote poetry and actively collected poems and verses. She channeled her artistic ambitions into creating gifts, especially her eagerly awaited birthday card collages for friends and family.
She also enjoyed traveling domestically and internationally with relatives and friends. An annual family vacation to Woodland Park, Colorado, was a highlight for many years.
Dorothy’s nursing career began as a registered nurse at Marion Manor nursing home. She then was a clinic nurse in Lincolnville and Florence, working with Dr. Don Hodson and Dr. Jeff Martin. She completed her nursing career at St. Luke Hospital, Marion.
Gardening was very important to Dorothy, and daisies were a favorite flower. She was well known to like bright colors and delighted in indulging this in her choice of footwear, wearing bright yellow or orange loafers in the summer. You could see her coming from afar.
Dorothy was involved in many community organizations. She enjoyed time spent participating in the Durham Home Circle Club and, after moving to Marion, the local P.E.O. Chapter and Twentieth Century Club.
She was a past board member and gardener at Marion City Library and board member at Marion Hilltop Manor.
Her greatest satisfaction was volunteering at St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary Shoppe.
Dorothy was a member of Holy Family Church, Marion, and a past parishioner of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Tampa. She was a member of the altar societies in both churches.
She will be greatly missed!
Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Marion City Library, St. Luke’s Auxiliary, or Holy Family Parish.
Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Dorothy at www.yazelmeglifh.com.