Kenneth Dean Yoke

Kenneth Dean Yoke, 89, of Goodland, KS passed away in Lee’s Summit, Missouri on September 1, 2023. He was born on September 13, 1933 to Dewey and Gladys (Abbott) Yoke in Newton, Kansas.

Kenneth was united in marriage to Wilma Spillman on July 30, 1955 in El Paso, TX at the Dudley baseball field. To this union they had four children Nancy, Pam, Les, and Mike.

Ken loved baseball his entire life and was a pitcher with several Double A teams in the 50’s. He had a brief stint with a Triple A team and pitched to several major league stars in spring training, including Yogi Berra. He loved telling stories about his baseball experiences.  After baseball he became interested in golf and built several golf courses in the area, including Sugar Hills Golf Club in Goodland. He retired from driving truck for Yellow Freight and then began puttering with woodworking and made an elaborate replica of Goodland’s Handy House, along with many other items.

Kenneth is survived by his children Nancy Yoke of Lee’s Summit, MO, Pam (Arlen) Riesen of Hillsboro, KS, Les (Debbie) Yoke of Pagosa Springs, CO, and Mike Yoke of Atlanta, KS, siblings David Yoke of Phoenix, AZ, and Cheryl Brown of Goodland, KS, and a sister in law Janice Yoke of Phoenix, AZ.  He is also survived by 6 grandchildren Rick(Jenni) Roeder; Kasi (William) Shephard; Thomas (Angie) Riesen; Travis (Cayla) Riesen; Sydney Yoke; Aubrey (Garth) Griffith; and seven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dewey and Gladys Yoke, his wife Wilma, his brothers Dewey “Don” Yoke, and Joe Yoke, and a sister in law Evelyn Yoke.

Memorial Contributions may be designated to the First Christian Church and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.