Dec. 21, 1925 - Dec. 27, 2023
Date of Service: Jan. 13, 2024
BURLEY – With heavy hearts full of the faith and hope she planted in all she touched, we announce the peaceful passing of Guenna Rose Kunzler Yost on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023.
Born on Dec. 21, 1925, she had just celebrated her 98th birthday. Her parents were faithful pioneers who made their home in Rosette/Park Valley, Utah. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Janae Yost; her beloved husband, Kenneth Charles Yost; her parents, Charles and Elsie Kunzler; her brothers, Roy and Max; and her sister, Lois. She loved her youth in Park Valley, where her relatives made up most of the population. She learned to know her Savior early as her father served for many years in the bishopric of the Rosette/Park Valley ward and her mother made sure they attended their meetings.
Guenna had an amazing ear for music and only needed a few lessons to learn to play the accordion, harmonica, piano, and organ, and could play almost any tune after hearing it. She never wanted to be the center of attention, but her music seemed to erase her shyness. She also loved sports and excelled at track and baseball in high school.
On Jan. 6, 1941, at the age of 15, life changed for Guenna as she met Kenneth Yost at a dance. After three years of courtship, Guenna succumbed to his proposals, and they were married for eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on Mar. 15, 1944. After a beautiful honeymoon in a secluded mountain sheep camp, Ken was drafted into the Army near the end of World War II. When he returned, they moved to Burley where they acquired a dairy farm and began their eternal family. Kendal was born in 1945, with Lu Ann following in 1947. Merlin was born in 1951 and Kaylene completed the set in 1957.
Neither Ken nor Guenna needed many words to communicate their love and devotion for their children, and later their many grandchildren, as their lives became a blueprint for their families to follow. Their testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ were their most treasured legacy which they gladly shared with their ever-increasing posterity. Guenna and Ken served many years as temple workers, as directors of the Burley Family History Center, and served a full-time mission in Oakland, California.
Guenna’s beautiful heart and soul are reflected in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Her love of a freshly mowed lawn, a well-kept flower bed, Lawrence Welk every week, a wonderful home-cooked meal, a pantry full of canned fruits and vegetables, and the smiles and laughter of her children, grandchildren (and great-grandchildren, etc.) playing in the yard. She knew she had everything that mattered. Ten years ago in January, some of her radiance was dimmed with the passing of her beloved husband, Kenneth Yost. She prayed every day to be with him again. What a glorious reunion there must have been this week.
She left this advice to her posterity:
Be happy in what you do. Learn that humor in your life is better than medicine. Pray always, keeping Heavenly Father and our Savior in your heart. Her favorite poem hung on her refrigerator (author unknown):
Outside my window a new day I see.
And only I can determine,
What kind of day it will be.
It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay,
Or boring and cold, unhappy and gray.
My own state of mind is the determining key,
For I am only the person I let myself be.
I can be thoughtful and do all I can to help,
Or be selfish and think just of myself.
I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun,
Or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone.
I can be patient with those who may not understand.
Or belittle and hurt them as much as I can.
But I have faith in myself, and believe what I say -
I personally intend to make the best of each day!
She lived as she spoke and set a wonderful example for all of us – a life well lived. Rest in peace Mom - until we meet again!
Guenna is survived by her children and their spouses, Kendal and Paula Yost, Lu Ann and Dennis Ray, Merlin and Jeannie Yost, and Kaylene and Del Holyoak. In addition, there are 28 grandchildren; 110 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. All of us offer our heartfelt thanks for the kind service of the Highland Estates staff, and for the tireless and loving care provided to Guenna by Barbara West and her hospice assistants.
A viewing for family and friends will be held from 5 until 7p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 East 16th Street in Burley.
Burial will be at 9:30 am at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Burley, Saturday, Jan. 13. Due to inclement weather a memorial service will be held at a later date.
