Edward Warren Yonker

Edward Warren Yonker went home to be with the Lord Monday December 22, 2014. He was born August 5, 1925 in Marion, Nebraska to Harry F. Yonker and Myrtle Wolverton Yonker. Ed was the youngest of three boys and was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He grew up in the small town of Marion and graduated from Marion High School. In 1943, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy and completed his basic training in Farragut, Idaho. He spent most of his enlistment as a fireman in the Pacific theater on the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-la. Back in Nebraska after the war, he met Betty Housley. He followed her family to Oregon and married Betty in St. Helens May 29, 1947. Shortly after their wedding they relocated to Fort Collins, Colorado, where they started their family. Ed and Betty had three children, Beverly, Larry and Richard. One of Ed’s first jobs in Fort Collins was with Valley Venetian Blind Company. Ed purchased the business at 246 Linden Street in 1949. Business was slow in winter and during the fall months of 1952-1954, he worked in the sugar beet campaigns as fireman and engineer for the steam locomotive that carried carloads of beets from the yard to the factory. The job was a dream come true for him, as he’d always wanted to be a locomotive fireman. Ed applied to the Fort Collins Fire Department and was hired in 1955. In 1965, he became Chief following Chief Cliff Carpenter’s death in the State Dry Goods fire June 28, 1965. Ed was extremely proud of the Fort Collins Fire Department - their mission, their ethics, and the strong relationships formed there. He retired from the FCFD in 1976. Post-retirement, the Yonker family and friends built a cabin in Glacier View Meadows. Ed was interested in exploring various job opportunities, and worked selling fire equipment, as a bailiff in Larimer County District Court, and for Hospital Services (HSI), a local health insurance company. He retired a second time in 1987 and he and Betty purchased a motor home and spent four years traveling around the USA. Always a fireman, he became involved in the Glacier View Meadows Volunteer Fire Department in 1989, helping to form the fire district there and serving as president of the Fire Board for 15 years. During his tenure, a mill levy was passed and a new fire station was built. Another of Ed’s passions was restoring “retired” FCFD fire equipment and working to establish a Fort Collins Fire Museum. He wrote, and had locally published, The History of the Fort Collins Fire Department: The First 100 Years. Ed was very active in the Fort Collins community, including the Boy Scouts, Jaycees, Elks and the American Legion. He and Betty were members of the First United Methodist Church for many years. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1997, dancing with family and friends; Betty died later that year. In January 2003, Ed married Patricia A. Hughes of Fort Collins in Maui, Hawaii. They were members of Timberline Church where they volunteered and were involved with Primetimers. Together they enjoyed traveling, spending time at the Glacier View cabin, and volunteering together at the Fort Collins Welcome Center. Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Floyd and Merle, and his wife, Betty. He is survived by his wife, Pat, his children, Bev Hagman (Karl), Larry Yonker (Kim), Rich Yonker (Caroline), six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, step-children Laurie Ronholdt (Chad) and Tom Hughes (Margarita) and their children. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at Timberline Church. A Graveside Service with Military Honors and a reception will immediately follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Collins Fire Museum Foundation in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.

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Edward Warren Yonker

August 5, 1925 - December 22, 2014