Mary Lou Barker

Mary Lou (Barker) Yochum

1946 - 2021

Spouse: Lionel Yochum

Kids:

Melissa (1971)
Emily (1974)
Lucas (1977)

Grand-Kids: 1

With great sadness, we announce that Mary Lou (Barker) Yochum passed away on Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the age of 75 in Apple Valley, CA.

Thanks to Gary Tate to alerting our classmates to this unpleasant news. Do let us know if there are other events, good if possible or bad, that others may be interested in hearing about.

2014 Reunion News:

In the last 50 years since high school I worked as a librarian, was a stay at home mom, a day care worker, a paraprofessional for a learning assistance program and a teacher. My teaching career ranged from teaching three and four year olds in preschool program to kindergarten and all grades from first through eighth grade. In 1989 we moved to Southern CA, Yermo-Barstow area and I fulfilled a lifetime career wish to be a teacher of "Special Needs" children. AS Special Education Teacher I taught severely handicapped children in a Special Day Class setting and children with learning disabilities in a Resource setting.

My husband and I just celebrated our 47th anniversary. Life has been good to us. WE have two daughters, both living in Kansas, and a son living in Apple Valley, CA. Our family has expanded to included a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law and three beautiful granddaughters.

I retired in 2006. Presently I am busy doing 'grandma' duties seeing our youngest grandchild off to school each morning. My husband and I did travel in our RV for three years after retiring and are now relocated in Apple Valley, CA. I have kept in steady contact with several long time high school friends and would happily welcome hearing from any of you that should happen to pass our way.

2004 Reunion News:

Past highlights: I continue to experience much joy from teaching students with special needs and the profession of Special Ed. Teacher.

Future Plans: In 2 years I look forward to joining my husband in retirement. Visit children, see family and friends and travel.

From 30 year reunion book 30 Year Reunion 1994

Spouse's Name: Lionel
Current residence: Barstow, CA
Occupation: Teacher Learning Disabled
Spouse's Occupation: Government Employee
Family: Melissa Green 23; Emily Schaefer 19; Lucas Yochum 16.
Number of grandchildren: 0
Places lived in the last 10 years: Colbert WA and Barstow CA
Hobbies and other interests: Love to read, main interest family and trips to Las Vegas or Laughlin Nevada.
Plans or goals for the next 10 years: I just completed adding 2 more degrees to my CA continuing teaching certificate. I plan to continue teaching identified special ed students.
Major highlights of the last 10 years: Summer of '89 I gave up my job at Gary Middle School in Spokane to accept a teaching position with Silver Valley Unified Schood District, Yermo, CA. My husband, children, and I gave up all that was secure to move 1,500 miles to a place in the heart of the "high desert" none of us had ever seen. To this day, we have never regretted that move. My husband changed his career, and our children are experiencing new places and cultures.

20 Year Reunion 1984

Spouse's Name: Lionel A.
Current residence: Colbert WA
Occupation: Teacher
Spouse's Occupation: Manager Retread Shop
Family: Melissa 13; Emily 9; Lucas 7.
After HS I attended LCNS graduating with a BS in Ele Education. In 1967 I married Lionel Yochum of Lapwai ID. We have lived in Pasco, Portland, Spokane, and now currently live six miles N of Spokane in a small community of Colbert WA. My interested lie in whatever my husband and children are involved with plus teaching. Presently, I am teaching three and four year olds and continuing my education at Whitworth College.

10 Year Reunion 1974

Current residence: Portland OR
Occupation: Housewife and Mother
Spouse's Occupation: Foreman Tire Retread Shop
Family:
I received a Bachelor of Arts at LCSC in 1968. Then taught first grade 1968-70 in Pasco WA at Mark Twain Elementary. In June 1972 moved to Portland OR. In 1973 worked at Day Care Center and later taught one year of kindergarten. We are expecting our second child. Happy Reunion-wish I could be there.