Lynn Marie Yost of Wessington Springs died on February 8, 2023 after a prolonged struggle with an aggressive cancer. Family and friends were with her throughout her journey.
Lynn was born in Huron, South Dakota on February 10, 1970 to her loving parents Willie and Iona Yost and was raised on a ranch that her mom and dad ran in South Hand County. She grew up enjoying the open prairie, clear skies and tall grass.
Books were an important part of her life starting at a very early age. One would rarely find her without one in hand. Many hours were spent curled up with her little sister Rebecca, reading all manner of books to her. Lynn was also talented as a writer and story teller, often surrounded by cousins and neighbor children as she spun her tales. She attended Mondamin Elementary School, graduated with honors from Miller High School in 1988 and went on to graduate as an English major from South Dakota State University.
Lynn worked in many industries before settling into a career as a medical coder. She spent many years in this profession, growing in it and often working remotely at medical facilities throughout the country. It was on one of these traveling assignments that she met her future husband Mike Krauss in Alaska. Lynn decided to stay in Juneau with Mike and secured a coding job at the hospital there. Lynn and Mike were married in Juneau in 2011 and remained there until Mike’s retirement in 2013.
As a couple they then moved to Volga, South Dakota as Lynn wished to be closer to her family. After years of traveling, she began working her job from home, enjoying the comfort of being with those she loved; her husband Mike, her family and a growing assortment of family dogs. She was generous and cared deeply for her people, was an exceptional aunt to her niece and nana to Mike’s grandchildren. In 2017 she and Mike moved their home to Wessington Springs in order to better assist Lynn’s mother and father that were living there.
A voracious reader, she also favored summertime, warm weather and clear skies, all of which came together with her height of enjoyment; reading a book while floating in an outdoor pool on a hot South Dakota day. She also held an avid and eclectic interest in fashion, art, cinema and music. She enjoyed cooking and food, especially recipes from other lands. She held a veritable small library of cookbooks from local to foreign lands and would often spend hours in the kitchen preparing a special meal. When she could no longer work due to her illness, she applied her interest to painting as an art. Her canvasses were an expression of herself; bold and bright, messy and mysterious, elegant and beautiful.
Anyone that knew Lynn would soon realize that she had a keen wit. Coupled with her intelligence, knowledge of the English language and boldness, she could bring humor and delight to any conversation. This gift often made her a dependable advocate to those whose voices aren’t heard.
Lynn was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Iona Yost; aunts Charlotte Pope, Patricia Waters, Ardessa Moser, Norma Yost and Leta Yost; uncles Edwin Yost, Wesley Yost, Chuck Yost, Dale Waters and Richard Moser; and beloved cousins Victor Waters, Dennis, Terry and Ryan Yost.
Lynn is survived by her husband Michael Krauss; sister Rebecca Roob; brotherin- law Chad Roob; niece Anna Roob; nephew Caden Roob; in-laws and grandchildren; aunts Kathy Yost, Jeanette Grabin, June Geiman, Della Abraham and Joy Eilertson; uncles, Tracey Hern and Dean Geiman; a few very dear friends and numerous cousins.
Lynn will be sorely missed and forever held in memory by all who knew her.
Visitation will be held at Foothills Bible Fellowship in Wessington Springs on Friday February 17 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with memorial service following at same location the next day, Saturday February 18 at 11 a.m. Meal will follow.
In lieu of flowers and per Lynn’s wishes, please consider a donation to: Beadle County Humane Society 5063 Dakota Ave. S. Huron, SD 57350, 605-352-8955.
