LeRoy "Lee" Yanney

Sioux City – LeRoy “Lee” John Yanney, a long-time resident of Sioux City, went home to be with the Lord Jesus on January 11th at a Sioux City hospital after a brief illness.  He was 88 years old.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 20 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a prayer service starting at 7:00 pm, all at Family Worship Center, 1315 Indian Hills Dr., Sioux City.  The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 21st at 2:00 pm at Family Worship Center with Pastor Bill Yanney officiating, followed by an Interment Service at the St. Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church Cemetery with Father Lucas Rice officiating.  The interment is located within Graceland Cemetery, southwest section, at 2701 S Lakeport St, Sioux City.  The funeral service will be preceded with a lunch and social gathering from 12:00 to 1:45pm at the Family Worship Center.

Born to Mose and Wadia Yanney on January 19, 1928 in Lexington, NE, Lee graduated from Northeast High School in Lincoln, NE in 1945.  He graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts from Nebraska Wesleyan University where he was a member of the school’s traveling choir and performed lead roles in musical productions.

In 1956, he married the one true love of his life Gayla (Gay) Jane Hanson from Sioux City.  They moved to Waterloo in 1960 and then in 1962 they moved back to Sioux City where they raised four children.

After working in sales in various companies, Lee settled into a long career at Guarantee Roofing and Siding Company, owned by his brother James Yanney and niece Charese Yanney, and worked as a salesman until he retired.  He was an outstanding salesman and eventually became Sales Manager and enjoyed travelling and building long-lasting relationships with home-owners and businesses throughout the Siouxland area.  He was always appreciative of his customers’ business.

Lee was an active and faithful member of St. Thomas Eastern Orthodox Church of Sioux City where he served on the Board and where he was Choir Director for over 40 years.  In his latter years, he was a member of Family Worship Center where his son Rev. Bill Yanney is pastor.  Lee was a dedicated Christian, who loved Jesus and His church, as well as his wife and family. 

Lee was also an active member of the Sioux City YMCA where he served on the Board and promoted fitness and strong Christian values.  Lee enjoyed a long life filled with family, friends, music, golf, and Nebraska Cornhusker football.  His was known as a kind, generous, and honest man who respected all.

Lee is survived by Gay, his wife of 60 years; his son Jon (Wendy) Yanney and children Rayce, Ryan, and Reid of Grand Prairie, TX; his son Pastor William “Bill” (Pastor Trish) Yanney and children Emily, Austin, Megan, and Lucas of Sioux City; his daughter Candy (Todd) Humphrey and children Arielle, Ian, Hayden, and Logan of Battle Ground, WA; and his son Dr. Robert “Bob” (Cari) Yanney of Dallas, TX.

Lee is also survived by his siblings and in-laws Loretta (Mike) Kacere of Wahoo, NE; Phyllis (Don) David of Grand Rapids, MI; Lorraine (Don) Nemer of Gregory, SD; David (Pam) Yanney of Bakersfield, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Lee was preceded in death by his brother James (“Dodo”) Yanney of Sioux City; his sister Yvonnie (Bill) Pape of Sioux City; sister-in-law Karen Marshall of Anthon, IA; and nephews and niece Steve David, Chris Yanney, and Lisa Nemer.  Lee had especially close ties with all of his siblings and extended family throughout the Siouxland, Omaha, and Kearny NE areas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be applied to works of the church and can be made to Family Worship Center, LeRoy Yanney Memorial Fund.