Barbara Lindwedel Yost
August 3, 1922 - July 13, 2022
Obituary
Barbara Lindwedel Yost was born in Helena, Montana on August 3, 1922 to Frederick and Barbara Lindwedel.
The family, including her older brother, Fred Jr., eventually settled in Billings, where Barbara graduated from Billings High School at the age of 16. Then, after spending a year working at the local library to earn money for tuition, she went on to study at Valparaiso University. She later transferred to the University of Washington where her interest in fashion led her to focus her studies in the Home Economics department, but life, as it so often does, got in the way, and Barbara chose to leave a semester shy of earning her degree to get married.
While in Billings, Barbara had joined Walther League at Trinity Lutheran Church where she met the love of her life, John G. Yost, who was a friend of her older brother. Separated by World War II, they eventually married in 1946 and settled in Seattle, where they welcomed three children: Carol, Constance (Connie) and Kevin.
John’s naval service again called him to duty in the Korean War, leaving Barbara and their eldest, Carol, back in Seattle. While her husband was overseas, Barbara focused on caring for their young family, having given birth to their second child, Connie, and managed to purchase their first home in Madison Park. Once reunited, they welcomed their youngest, Kevin, and in 1959 purchased a brand new home in Burien. John’s work for Boeing required the family to relocate four times in three years, so they found themselves living all over the country. They moved to Florida, Maine, Minnesota and New York before coming back to their home in Burien, just in time for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair.
In the late 1960’s, Barbara rejoined the workforce and found a job at Sears taking telephone orders. Shortly thereafter, she realized there were better opportunities available to her in temporary clerical work. An excellent worker, she quickly became a favorite of the temp agency, who always had a job waiting. After a few years, Barbara was placed at Inland Transportation Company, who recognized her intelligence and hard work, eventually hiring her for a full-time position, making her a Teamster in the early 1970’s.
John and Barbara moved to Huntington Park in Des Moines in 1988, where they planned to spend their retirement together. Sadly, John passed in 1994, just a few years shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. Barbara continued to live in Huntington Park until May 2021, surrounded by her many friends.
Barbara was a devout Lutheran throughout her life and was a member of The Lutheran Church of the Atonement in Burien for over 60 years. She was an avid volunteer and involved in many church activities, including singing in the church choir and solo performances, quilting for missions, Bible study, librarian, handling greeting card sales, Senior Club, and Mission Circle—she even taught Sunday school.
An excellent seamstress and knitter, she spent many hours of her free time knitting blankets for charity through her church, which sent them to newborns all over Africa. Her grandkids will forever remember the knitting needles clicking away during her visits.
Barbara loved playing pinochle—and for years participated in a monthly pinochle party with longtime friends. She also enjoyed playing various other card and board games and traveling with her husband.
Barbara is survived by her three children, Carol Yost Kennedy (husband, Jim), Constance Yost, and Kevin Yost; her four grandchildren, Kelly Kennedy, Andrew Kennedy (wife, Becca), Lauren Kennedy, and Katheryn (Katie) Yost; and, her three great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Ethan, and Bryant.
At 99 (just 3 weeks shy of her 100th birthday!), no one can deny that Barbara lived a long and blessed life. She will be forever remembered by her loved ones.
A Memorial service will be held at The Lutheran Church of the Atonement in Burien, WA on September 24, 2022 at 2 pm.
