Sylvia Yarger

A private family memorial service and burial will be held at a later date for Sylvia.

Sylvia Marion Ronnie, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Galde) Ronnie, was born on July 12, 1921, in New Prairie Township, near Cyrus, Minnesota. When she was two years old her widowed mother moved the family to Cyrus where Sylvia and her siblings grew up and attended school. Sylvia was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church and confirmed at Cyrus (Trinity) Lutheran Church. Sylvia’s favorite job as a teenager was working as a telephone operator in Cyrus where she was at the hub of all the news and activities. She graduated from Cyrus High School in 1939.  Sylvia attended Moorhead State Teachers College and received her teaching certificate, and then taught in a country school near Chokio, in Gilbert and Belview, Minnesota. During the summers she held various jobs including being an elevator operator at a hotel in Minneapolis. On June 16, 1946, she and Don Yarger were married at Cyrus Lutheran Church. They made their home in Morris. Sylvia returned to teaching in 1956, retiring as a kindergarten teacher in 1987.

Throughout her life Sylvia was involved in many church and community activities. She was a member of First Lutheran Church for 73 years, serving there in many capacities and participating in many Bible studies. She was a member of the Sons of Norway, the American Legion and VFW Auxiliaries. She taught religion classes at the Development Achievement Center (DAC) and volunteered at the Blood Mobile. Sylvia was a voracious reader, worked the crossword puzzle every day and enjoyed playing the piano. She walked everywhere and loved to hang out at the Common Cup. Sylvia loved sports, cheering for the Twins, Gophers, and Morris Tiger teams. Her favorite team was the Minnesota Vikings. She was an avid fan and enjoyed talking about the team and players and had a wealth of knowledge about “her” Vikings. She was known for her Vikings room where she proudly displayed her collection of souvenirs, photos, and paraphernalia. She loved to travel, among her favorite destinations were Alaska and Norway. She was a beloved teacher who loved and remembered her students.

Sylvia died on Monday, December 16, 2019, at West Wind Village where she had lived for two years. She was 98 years old. Her husband died in 1984.

She is survived by her daughter Kay (Richard) Werpy of Erie, Colorado; grandchildren: Kelly Maggiolo, John (Robyn) Werpy, Chris (Jennifer) Werpy, Mike (Amy) Werpy and seven great grandchildren: Tim, Anna, Ben, Josh, Jackson and Matthew Werpy, and Dylan Hyatt. Also surviving her are sister-in-law and brother-in-law Donna and Lyle Christiansen and many nieces and nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, son David and infant daughter, also by her siblings Arthur, Ernest and Sam Ronnie and Amanda Messmer.

Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.