Yvonne Serby, 100, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025 at the LaSalle County Nursing Home, surrounded by her family.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. David Ufkes officiating. Interment will follow at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Yvonne was born on October 27, 1924 in Webster Park, to Harry and Margaret (Lemler) Welch. She married Clare Serby on March 28, 1953 in Peru. Yvonne lived a full, vibrant life. She was intelligent, endlessly curious, and always eager to be involved. She didn’t just show up – she led. She earned an Associate’s degree in accounting while working as the office manager at Renwick Electric. Whether she was serving as president of the PTA, and the PTA Council, member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, working with the Business and Professional Women’s Club, or staying active in the National Association of Letter Carriers Women’s Auxiliary, she made her mark and left things better than she found them. Yvonne had a true gift for friendship. She cherished her friends and family and made sure to stay in touch, even when time and distance might’ve made it difficult. Her bond with her sister Maryhelen and her brothers Harry and Jerry was strong, and her in-laws weren’t just family, they were some of her closest companions. Together they laughed, traveled the world, and shared the kind of memories that last a lifetime. She and her husband shared 67 years of love and partnership, teammates in every sense of the word – in parenting, in life, and especially in travel. She loved planning their trips, studying maps, and navigating to ensure they saw every corner of this country – all 50 states and far beyond. She played golf well into her 80’s and exercised at the Ottawa YMCA until she was 96 – a testament to her energy and determination. She wasn’t one to sit still when there was something to learn, something to do, or someone to care for.
She is survived by three daughters, Barbara (William) Ross of Estero, FL, Jill (Robert) Brokaw of Hernando, MS, and Kay Smith of Ottawa; five grandchildren, Robert Jones, Grant Brokaw, Valerie Contreras, Marcus Polancic and Jackson Smith; six great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren; a sister Maryhelen Ruffu of California; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clare, two brothers Harry and Gerald Welch, son-in-law William St. Arnold, and a grandson Kyle Jones.
Pallbearers will be her Robert Jones, Grant Brokaw, Valerie Contreras, Marcus Polancic, Jackson Smith, and Kevin Jones.
Memorials may be directed to the Ottawa YMCA, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Daughters of the American Revolution.
Yvonne was laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in the Sanctuary of Peace at Oakwood Memorial Park.