Wayne LeRoy Yeager, 62, of Crookston, MN, passed away at his home Thursday evening, January 6, 2022, comforted by his family gathered at his bedside. 
Wayne was born in Fargo, ND on August 3, 1959, the son of Elton LeRoy and Eva Ingrid Elizabeth Maria (Ottl) Yeager. He grew up in Ada, MN and graduated from Ada High School as a member of the Class of 1978. Wayne farmed on the Yeager family farm near Felton, MN for a year before moving to Crookston to begin employment with Dahlgren and Company. On July 26, 1980 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Linda Mae St. Marie, in a ceremony that took place at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. The couple made their home in Crookston where together they raised their 4 children: Nate, Jeremy, Kelsey, and Matthew in a loving home. He was a kind and caring husband and father who worked hard to provide for his family. He worked for Dahlgren and Company as a mill operator for many years. Wayne, known to family and friends alike as “Yogi”, also worked for area farmers including Mike Gasper, Robin Brekken, and Greg LeBlanc.
He was a longtime member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception parish and became very active in the Cathedral School and School Board. His friendly nature couldn’t help but put smiles on the faces of students and teachers alike. Wayne was in his glory watching his kids play sports and playing with his grandkids. Nearly every hockey fan who has attended a game at the Crookston arena has fantasized about driving the Zamboni….Wayne did it for several years! He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Wild and Vikings, never giving up hope that ‘next year’ would be the year to win it all. He enjoyed farming, and liked looking at tractors, old and new. In the fall Wayne and Linda would travel to Rollag, MN to take in the festivities at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion.
Wayne will be long remembered and sadly missed by Linda, his beloved wife of 41 years; their four children and spouses: Nate and Michelle Yeager of Chatham, IL, Jeremy and Jamie Yeager of Barnesville, MN, Kelsey and Max Mason of Asheville, NC, and Matthew and Jordyne Yeager of Urbandale, IA; 5+grandchildren: Noah, Makenna, Aiden, and Kalyn Yeager, Jack Mason, and Baby Boy Yeager, due in March, 2022. He also leaves his mother, Eva Eckert of Eugene, OR; siblings, Char (Bill) Ellingsworth of Junction City, OR and Warren (Becky) Yeager of Greenbush, MN; together with other relatives and friends. Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Elton Yeager; stepfather, Jim Eckert; grandparents, Roy and Lucille Yeager; and parents-in-law, Ray and Odina Mae St. Marie. Blessed be the memory of Wayne LeRoy Yeager.
The Memorial Mass celebrating the life of Wayne Yeager will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 15, 2022, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston, MN, with The Rev. Joe Richards, presiding. Visitation will be at Stenshoel Houske Funeral home on Friday from 5-7:00 p.m. with a prayer service and sharing of memories at 7:00 p.m. Both services will be livestreamed by going to www.crookstoncathedral.com and clicking on the Funerals prompt to view.
Online registry and messages of condolence may be conveyed at www.stenshoelhouske.com
