John Frederick Yelden was born May 18, 1933, to John and Estella (Kaufman) Yelden in Earlville, Iowa.
He attended Maynard Community Schools, graduating in 1951. He served in the United States Army from September 1955 to September 1957, during the Korean War. On October 26, 1957, John was united in marriage to Velma Keller in Seward. John was a parts manager for Truck Equipment Service Co. for over 20 years until his retirement.
In his free time, he enjoyed singing with the Ki-Tones and the Lincoln Civic Choir. John was a member of Friedens United Church of Christ. He was active in church activities and also served in leadership roles within the church. He enjoyed playing church league softball, camping and boating. He especially loved to travel and take annual vacations. John passed away Sept. 22, 2024, in Seward, at the age of 91.
He is survived by his wife, Velma Yelden of Seward; sons, Vern (Karen) Yelden of Seward and Lynn (Marsha) Yelden of Seward; grandchildren, Jennifer (Ryan) Pearson and Shelby (Clinton) Anderson, Hayley, Jack and Emily Yelden and Ashley (Adam) Kroft and Allison Leising; great-granddaughter, Athena Anderson; son-in-law, David Leising of Seward; brother, Robert (Patricia) Yelden of Dubuque, Iowa; sisters, Ruth (Paul) Cordes of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and brother-in-law, Ken Greene of Hazelwood, Missouri. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Estella Yelden; daughter, Gayle Leising; sisters, Carolyn Green and Susan Yelden; and brother, Richard Yelden.
The funeral service will be Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10:30 a.m. at Friedens United Church of Christ in Seward with committal at the Seward Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Seward Kiwanis Backpack Program or the Alzheimers Association. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
