Obituary

Ellen Marie Yocum 89, died March 25, 2025, at Kidron Bethel Healthcare in North Newton, Kansas. She was born July 12, 1935, in Norwich, Kansas to Merle and Mildred (Knowlton) Hendrixson. On January 1, 1952, she married C.L. Aiken and they were later divorced. She later married Harry Yocum on October 11, 1980, and he preceded her in death in 2003. Ellen was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Newton. She was also an active member of the Business and Professional Women where she served as State President in 2011-2012. She was an administrative assistant for Sedgwick County Kansas Government. While living in Arizona she worked at the Mojave Community College bookstore. Following her retirement, she worked for many years for Petersen Family Funeral Home and Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton serving families working evening visitations and office work. Ellen enjoyed golf, gambling, bingo, and pinochle. She was a social person and enjoyed spending time with her many friends and her family. She is survived by her daughters Sue Ellen Patrick; Cindy (Craig) Simons; and Jeanne Marie Russell. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Sean (John) Hunter; Kaleena (Ronnie) Shipp; Jessica Simons; Mallory Simons; Sunny Ridpath and Randi Gupton and several great-grandchildren and "Adopted" sister Aunt Patrice Lauzet and other adopted children she met throughout her life. Ellen is preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sister Betty Poynor. Mass of the Resurrection will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Newton with The Reverend Andrew Bergkamp, celebrant. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2025, at Petersen Funeral Home, with a Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 p.m. also at Petersen Funeral Home with the family receiving friends following the Rosary. The graveside committal service will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Peotone Cemetery Rural Viola, Kansas with the Reverend Joseph Tatro presiding. Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church or Business Professional Women and left with Petersen Funeral Home.