Yvonne Wood

Yvonne Wood passed away on January 13th, 2025, at the age of 82. She was a loving spouse, caring parent, fun grandmother, talented grade schoolteacher, and lifelong missionary.

She was born on May 4, 1942, in San Diego, California. Her parents Beryl Stewart and Joseph Paul Vorkink raised their family in California, did a year abroad in Norway when she was a teenager, and moved to Cedar City right before her senior year of high school. Her siblings Stuart, Bill, Marsha, and Evelyn were close growing up. In fact, she and her sister Marsha were married the same day! They have continued to strengthen and support each other throughout their lives.

Yvonne met Bob while she was going to Utah State University to earn her degree in Elementary Education. They were married in the St. George temple on July 22, 1966. They were married for 58 years and always worked hard to support each other, learn together, and love each other and those around them. 

Yvonne made her home special and taught her children the value of hard work. She loved the holidays and would always make them special. Communicating with her kids was very important which made Sunday dinners, weekly phone calls, visits, and reunions a priority. She encouraged her family to attend sporting events, school programs, piano recitals, and significant events for each other. Yvonne’s guidance to her children includes: “be faithful to the commandments… honor the Priesthood in your home… love one another so we can be a forever family… encourage one another… keep happy- smile each day….and do not mourn, hopefully we will be together soon.”

As grandmother, she was known for dollar jobs, though older family members will attest to them becoming significantly easier in later years. She will be remembered by her grandchildren for family talent shows, Christmas programs, swimming, car games, individual birthday cards with short verses, and going around the table to say what they were thankful for. She had a talent for making individuals around her feel special, no matter who they were.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was dedicated to serving in the church and served in all kinds of callings. She especially loved working with children and youth. Yvonne and Bob served missions to Detroit, Hungary, Germany, and Montana where they focused on young adult outreach programs, leadership training, and bringing people closer to Christ. She also loved to do Family History. She spent hours organizing photos, scrapbooks, and writing family histories. 

Yvonne is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers William Paul Vorkink (Gloria) and Stuart Vorkink (Bobette).

She is survived by her husband, Robert William Wood. Her children Susannah Burton (Lou), Kristin Wood, Teresa Wilding (Brian), Robert Daniel Wood (Adrianne), Diannah Kruger (Richard), and Danalin Wood. Her legacy of love continues through her 18 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Whisper Wood Ward, 2679 South 1000 West, Syracuse Utah. Friends may visit with family on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment will take place at the Benjamin City Cemetery.