Overbrook - Yolanda Jo Dickinson, 62, left this world on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at KU Medical Center after a brave two plus year battle with multiple myeloma. She was born on Friday, December 15, 1961, during a blizzard, which may have contributed to her lifelong love of snow. She was the third child of Duane and Delores (McClelland) Dickinson.

Yolanda grew up on a farm in the Appanoose Community and was a graduate of Appanoose Grade School and Pomona High School. She attended Allen County Community College, Emporia State University and Friends University (Wichita), where she received a bachelor's degree in human resource management.

For Yolanda, growing up on the farm was grand, always being outside, riding horseback, playing in the dirt or creek, riding her bicycle or tending the farm animals. For her entire life, she wanted to be outside playing in the dirt and enjoying nature rather than being inside doing housework.

Yolanda worked for the State of Kansas for 35 years in various positions, the last 23 being with the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System where she retired as a plan administrator of the statewide KPERS 457 Plan (deferred compensation).

In the late 80's and early 90's, Yolanda participated in antique tractor pulls in Kansas and western Missouri. Her little red McCormick Deering W-30 defeated and tormented many guys with tractors of other brands over the years. She placed first in her class at the Kansas State Fair the first time she pulled there. In the 80's, she was a founding member and served as secretary of the Kansas Antique Tractor Association.

Yolanda's list of favorite memberships and activities included: Overbrook Library Board, Overbrook Osage County Fair Board, Overbrook Planning and Zoning Commission, Overbrook United Methodist Church, where she sang several years in the church choir and served as treasurer and memorial fund chairperson, built a house with Habitat for Humanity in Lawrence, Volunteered at Help House in Lyndon, supported Prairie Paws Animal Shelter in Ottawa and the Lawrence Humane Society, attended and participated at various threshing shows throughout the Midwest, and enjoyed traveling with the "Are We There Yet?" group through the Kansas State Bank.

Yolanda was preceded in death by her father, Duane; her brother, Doug Dickinson; her aunt, Anita Kennedy; a second cousin, Willsun Mock, killed October 2006 in the war in Bagdad; and by a first cousin, Sheldon Mundy.

Yolanda is survived by her good friend and partner, Greg Coker of Overbrook; her mom, Delores Dickinson of Overbrook; her sister, Susan Dickinson (Curt Miller) of Overbrook; her sister-in-law, Wendy Fritts Dickinson (Rick Feuerborn) of Garnett; her nephew, Ryan (Holly) Dickinson and their son Tyden; her niece, Amy Dickinson; other relatives and many friends.

A Celebration of Life for Yolanda will be from 2:00 to 4:00pm on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the Community Room at the Overbrook United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions in memory of Yolanda may be made to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS 66451.