Dorothy Ann Youk

Dorothy Youk passed away on March 16, 2024. Dorothy was born May 29, 1934 to E. O. and Mary (Winkley) Sandwell. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Ed Sandwell and her beloved husband Dennis. 

Dorothy was an accomplished musician and played the piano, organ and ukulele. In her public debut, Dorothy was the organist for the first Christmas Mass at the newly erected St. Mark Catholic Church of Marion in 1951. She always enjoyed playing her favorite song, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Dorothy was amused that she and the heroine of “The Wizard of Oz” were both Dorothys from Kansas.  Upon graduation from Marion High School, Dorothy began her college career in 1952 with a scholarship at the newly founded St. Mary of the Plains College, Dodge City, Kansas. She graduated September 1955 from Wichita – St. Joseph School of Nursing. On October 4, 1955 Dorothy married Dennis Youk. They met at MHS when Dorothy was a freshman and Dennis was a senior. Evidently, it was love at first sight. They were married for 53 years before Dennis passed away August 6, 2009. Dennis and Dorothy raised their family of four children on their farm west of Durham. 

She is survived by her daughter and three sons: Teresa Harris (Kevin), Roeland Park, KS; Jeff and Cathey Youk, Wichita, KS and their son Jeremy; Justin and Wendy Youk, Marion, KS; and Jarrod Youk, Hillsboro, KS and his sons Brandon and Creighton. 

As a young, busy homemaker, Dorothy made time to read books and looked forward to receiving her Readers Digest book club selections. Throughout her life she wrote poetry, and actively collected poetry and verses. She channeled her artistic ambitions into creating gifts, especially her eagerly awaited birthday card collages for friends and family. She also enjoyed traveling domestically and internationally with family and friends. The annual family vacation to Woodland Park, CO was a highlight for many years. Dorothy’s nursing career began as an RN at Marion Manor nursing home, then clinic nurse in Lincolnville and Florence working with Dr. Don Hodson and Dr. Jeff Martin and completing her nursing career at St. Luke Hospital Marion. Gardening was very important to Dorothy and daisies were a favorite flower. She was well known to like bright colors and she delighted in indulging this in her choice of footwear, wearing bright yellow or orange loafers in the summer. You could see her coming from afar. Dorothy was involved in many community organizations. She enjoyed time spent participating in the Durham Home Circle Club and, after moving to Marion, the local P. E. O. Chapter and Twentieth Century Club. She was a past board member and gardener at Marion Public Library and board member at Marion Hilltop Manor. Her greatest satisfaction was volunteering at the Marion St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary Shoppe. Dorothy was a member of Holy Family Church, Marion, and a past parishioner of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Tampa, and a member of the Altar Societies in both Churches. She will be greatly missed! 

Her family will gather with friends on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion.  Following the visitation there will be a Vigil Service held at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Family Parish, St. Mark’s Church in Marion.  Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the Marion Library, St. Luke’s Auxiliary or Holy Family Parish.  Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Dorothy at www.yazelmeglifh.com.