Yvonne Ware

Yvonne Ware, age 83, of Aitkin, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2016, at her home. She was born November 12, 1932, on a farm near Madison, South Dakota, to Albert and Doris Arvidson. Her father's parents had emigrated from Sweden and built up a farm in the rural Madison area. She was the second of four children born to the union.

Yvonne grew up attending local one room schools and in good weather walked the 2 ½ miles home with her siblings. Later on, her education included a degree in music from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her working years included teaching music at Sunnydale Academy in Missouri, teaching elementary grades in Michigan, and giving private lessons in Illinois. She felt it a privilege to use her God-given talent and training on the organ and piano to the glory of God in churches where she was a member. She was also hired by First Congregational Church in Aitkin as their organist until she suffered a stroke. She was a lifelong member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with the Aitkin church being her latest attendance.

Yvonne married James Ware in 1964, living in their working years in Illinois and retirement years in Aitkin, Minnesota. It was Jim's privilege to be able to care for Yvonne at home and be with her to her last breath.

Yvonne is survived by her husband of 52 years, Jim; sister, Norma Franz (Ken) of Berrien Springs, MI; and numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews who were all "adopted" by Yvonne and Jim. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ron Arvidson; and sister, Sylvia Hatcliff.

Services will be 11 AM on Monday, May 30, at Aitkin Seventh-day Adventist Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Aitkin. Memorials may be given to Amazing Facts in California or to Heartland Hospice of Brainerd. Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home, Pequot Lakes.