Stephen E. Yeast, 76, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Friday, June 17, 2022, at his home. A graveside ceremony will be planned at a later date at St. Joseph Cemetery in Elkader, Iowa. Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, assisted the family.
Steve was born on July 28, 1945, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of James and Elizabeth “Betty” (Emard) Yeast. He graduated from Aquinas High School in Fort Madison. Steve served his country honorably in the United States Army during Vietnam. He went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Iowa. He was married to Judy Kelleher on September 18, 1965. The two were married until Judy’s death on March 17, 2001. Steve was later united in marriage to Rita Hendrickson on August 3, 2002. He was a writer, producer, and director for BVS Performance Systems for over 40 years. Steve loved to play golf and go fishing. Steve enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and more recently the Coe College Kohawks. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife, Rita Yeast of Cedar Rapids; daughters, Kerry Yeast of Cedar Rapids and Jennifer Hougen of Ely, Iowa; step-daughters, Debbie (Bill) Ayers of Maui, Hawaii, Carrie Corr of Fullerton, California, Michelle Boxley of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Claudine Corr of Nashville, Tennessee; grandsons, Luke and Hank Hougen; siblings, Jim (Jo) Yeast of Dubuque, Iowa, Jay (Suzanne) Yeast of West Liberty, Iowa, Don (Isa) Yeast of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Lisa (Joe) Mitchell and Bill Yeast, all of Camdenton, Missouri; many extended family members; and special friends: Bob Anderson, Jeff Thompson, and especially Roy Karon.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Judy; and sister, Barbara Heaton.