Erma LaVonne Yeoumans

Erma LaVonne Yeoumans, age 89, went home to be with Jesus on August 28, 2026, at her home in Baker City, Oregon, surrounded by her loving family.

A celebration of life will be held on October 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Baker City, immediately followed by a luncheon reception in the Fellowship Hall. Cyndi Wunder will officiate.

LaVonne entered this world of sunlight and endless opportunities to love on August 9, 1937, in Sioux City, Iowa. She was the only child born to her parents, Edna and Allan Bruce. LaVonne attended a one-room schoolhouse on Round Prairie, where she first met her future husband, Gerald “Gary” Yeoumans. She attended Bonners Ferry High School, graduating in 1955.

LaVonne’s childhood crush developed into a love that lasted 70 years. They were married on September 2, 1956, in Lewiston, Idaho. They raised four children and watched with love and pride as those children grew into adulthood, married, and blessed them with 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

LaVonne’s professional life meandered from homemaker, cakemaker, bookkeeper, and mother extraordinaire before landing on high school athletic secretary and administrative assistant for Baker School District 5J. This last position was the joy of her professional life outside of home. She spent 14 fun-filled years there before retiring in 2000. Following her retirement, she assumed full-time operation of Kona Kolors Tanning Salon, giving her additional opportunities to share her love of people and helping others, which was her calling in life.

LaVonne had many loves: God, her family, friends, dancing, cooking, sewing, knitting, gardening, and watching her garden of grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. Her capacity to care for others and her gift of community involvement led to a life of fulfillment and joy. She embraced her role as president and was the heart and soul of the Community Choir. The friendships she developed through that organization carried her through very trying times near the end of her stay on earth. Her church involvement occupied hours of her days through bookkeeping, choir, the finance committee, serving as a deacon, and the many other roles she fulfilled.

In her younger days, she supported her husband and family through multiple endeavors, including serving as state president of the Jaycee-Ettes, a Camp Fire leader, and in an administrative role at their camp. She was also involved in 4-H and Vacation Bible School, hosted the high school youth group in their home, served as president and treasurer of the Me and You Dance Club, and participated in community theater and other civic organizations that came her way. She was always the first to raise her hand and the last to leave the building.

The Yeoumans family lived throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Idaho and Washington, and eventually settled in Eastern Oregon. Their final home for the last 49 years has been Baker City, Oregon. They developed a network of friends for whom they are forever grateful and enjoyed sun-filled days and afternoons on their back deck, soaking in their flower gardens and watching the local birds and squirrels.
LaVonne is survived by her beloved husband of 70 years, Gary Yeoumans; three daughters and their spouses, Kathy and Terry Dennis of Phoenix, Arizona, Carol Young of Baker City, and Kaye and Alan Sanders of Kelso, Washington; and one son, David Yeoumans of Baker City.

She is also survived by her 18 grandchildren: Brandon and Jessica Young, Joshua and Julie Dennis, Christopher and Meredith Dennis, Sean Lynch, T.J. Crane, Jordanne Crane and her partner, Curtis, Rory Sanders, Zach and Glenanne Sanders, Jacob and Taya Sanders, David “Travis” Smith, and Tanner and Alexis Smith; and 13 great-grandchildren: Rowan and Calvin Dennis, Emmett and Siena Young, Lennon Crane, Adaline, Sienna “Cece,” and Warner Smith, Hudson and Maeve Sanders, and Lincoln, Ledger, and Lochlyn Sanders. She is also survived by her siblings, Ron and Laura Knight and Tom and Kris Yeoumans, as well as extended family members and friends.

LaVonne was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents; her son-in-law, Grant Young; her great-granddaughter, Emily Robin Dennis; and her beloved cat, Puffin.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Shriners, Gideons, or the Backpack Program operated by the First Presbyterian Church of Baker City.

Please use the links below to learn more about the organizations and donate.

• Gideons International: https://gideons.org/donate
• Baker City Backpack Program: https://bakercitybackpack.org/donate
• Shriners Children's Hospital: https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/give/716571#!/donation/checkout?c_src=shrinerschildrens&c_src2=main-nav-square
• St. Jude Children's Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html