Helen Louise Yates

Helen Louise Yates. 92-years-old.
Louise, as she was known to most, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 2, 2021. She passed away peacefully with family by her side.

Growing up, Louise lived in numerous places including Chicago, New Jersey, and Minneapolis where she attended Washburn High School and Minnehaha Academy. She graduated from the University of Minnesota and worked in the U of M Hospital Labs as a medical technologist participating in hospital research projects, provided hospital support, and taught laboratory techniques for over three decades.

Louise attended First Baptist Church in Minneapolis for many years and had fond memories of playing on the FBC’s women’s basketball team in the early 1950’s. Louise loved sports. She particularly loved her Minnesota teams; the Twins, the Vikings, and the North Stars, back in the days of Rod Carew and Harmon Killebrew, Fran Tarkenton, and Lou Nanny. She had many great “sports” memories such as watching a young Willie Mays playing in the minors.

In 1956, Louise married Harlan Yates, Jr. and together they raised their boys in Minneapolis.

In 1990, after having had enough of Minnesota winters and summers, Louise retired and moved to the Pacific Northwest joining other family members who had moved to Bellingham, Washington.

Louise and her long-time friend, Peg, bought a motorhome and for several years traveled North America. They joined an all-women’s RV group traveling to many places including Mariner’s Spring Training in Arizona and frequent gatherings in Hoodsport, WA, where they cooked and served Thanksgiving dinner for the group for many years.

Louise also traveled to Taipei, Taiwan, to help welcome her youngest granddaughter to the family.

Louise was involved in her family’s lives, praying for them, listening to them and offering encouragement, and attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, school plays, music concerts, dance performances, and more, loving them all unconditionally.

Louise loved serving in both big and small ways. As a member of Bellingham Covenant Church and Bible Study Fellowship, she had a reputation as one who faithfully loved God and always put the needs of others before her own. She taught the values of faith, humility, hard work, and excellence through her actions. Many admired her for her independence, intelligence, wisdom, outspokenness, strong character, and quick wit. She was a self-described “stubborn Swede”, but with a soft, gentle, and giving heart. She was an amazing mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, cousin, and friend. She will be greatly missed.

Louise is preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Anna Jernberg, former husband, Harlan, and sister-in-law, Joyce Jernberg. She is survived by her brother, Dr. Ken Jernberg; her three sons: Edward (Linda), David (Laurie), and Alan (Ruth); grandchildren: Andrew, Aaron (Bailee), Matthew, Sarah, Rachel, and Rosie; and great-granddaughter, Stella; as well as numerous cousins, a niece, two nephews, and their families.

Those who knew Louise will know she did not like being “fussed” over. As per her wishes, there will be no public memorial service.

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Louise, please consider Childcare Worldwide: www.childcareworldwide.org, PO Box 113, Lynden, WA 98264, as she was a passionate supporter of this organization.