Rod William Yakshaw

“Walking Against the Wind”

Born in Andale, KS to Adolf and Mervine Yakshaw on August 8, 1939. 

Rod grew up and graduated high school from Andale, KS. After graduation Rod joined the U.S. Navy where he became a Hospital Corpsman. He was then stationed in Chelsea, MA working for a hospital. 

After the Navy, Rod had many different positions varying from safety engineer to medical supply salesman, ending up in his lifelong passion of being a rancher. Rod would marry his high school sweetheart Betty Hilger on August 4, 1962. They raised their children while building the family ranch. The ranch was named Y-Not Ranch to symbolize the Yakshaw name and the family tie. Rod and Betty were able to share almost 60 years of life together. "What a Blessing". 

Rod's mother Mervine, son Lance, and daughter Rachel passed away in a car accident in September 1972. 

He follows his wife Betty and son Brian, his mother and father, and his siblings Don, Ron, Nancy, Arrah, Audry, and Virginia in death. 

Rod and Betty proudly raised five wonderful kids: 

Son Lance

Daughter Rachel

Son Brian and wife Stacey with their two children Nikki and Beth Yakshaw and Brian’s son Chance Green

Daughter Molly and husband Tim Messina and three children Michael, Allie, and Dominick 

Daughter Rane and husband Ryan Mix and two children Lane and Hadley. 

“God was good to me.”

“The End of the Trail” 

A rosary will be held at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Independence, Kansas on December 7, 2024, starting at 10:30 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM. Following the memorial service, a luncheon will take place at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Cherryvale, Kansas, beginning at 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM.

If you know Rod, he did not like flowers. So, in lieu of flowers please consider funeral card masses in his name, donations to Tunnels to Towers, or the VA.