Norman Yost, 90

Norm Yost, 90

Our dear Norman passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus while at home surrounded by loved ones on the evening of Friday, Sept. 17, 2021.

Norm was born May 9, 1931, in Winton, Calif., to Peter Norman and Esther (Dirks) Yost. He was the youngest of four boys who grew up on a small ranch where they learned the importance of faith, family and hard work. He spent his youth swimming in the irrigation canals near his home and helping with ranch chores.

Norm married young and was blessed with three beautiful children, Mike, Lauretta and Pete. Sundays were always reserved for church where Norm enjoyed singing in his beautiful tenor voice, and after church there would always be fellowship and dinner with family and friends.

As the years passed Norm worked at various occupations, including milkman, heavy equipment operator and owner-operator trucking. Throughout his life Norm worked long hours providing for his family, demonstrating the valuable lesson of hard work.

In 1962 Norm met Ginny Bowman in the Singles Group at the North Long Beach Brethren church, and they were married on June 29, 1963. In the ensuing years, Kristin and Steve joined the family. They treasure memories of their dad taking them to fairs, rodeos and barbershop quartet gatherings.

Norm’s faith was always the bedrock of his life. He invariably plugged into a church family wherever he lived, including the California cities of Bakersfield, Los Osos and Modesto. The Yosts have been a part of Hayden Bible Church since 2007.

Norm’s life was characterized by his enjoyment of music. In the early years he sang first tenor in a quartet with his brothers and sister-in-law. Later, he was part of an a capella male quartet, “Men of the Way,” who made a record of their music. He also sang with wife Ginny in duets, choirs and small groups of every kind.

In the mid-'70s Norm decided to pursue a lifelong dream of getting his pilot’s license. He enjoyed this hobby for several years, and his interest in airplanes continued throughout his life.

Norm and Ginny retired to Hayden, Idaho, in 2005, and in 2013 they celebrated 50 years of marriage at a gathering of family in Nampa, Idaho, and later with a cruise to Alaska.

Norm was known as a quiet, humble man, reflecting his Mennonite family heritage. He was gentle and shy, just like his father. He was loved and cherished by his family and will be treasured forever. We look forward to reuniting with him for eternity!

We would like to express our appreciation to our Hospice team, including Katie, Sonja, Heather and Melissa, Comfort Keepers (with special thanks to Debbie), Area on Aging, and earlier, Crest and Kindred Home Health.

Norm’s son, Peter, preceded him in death. He leaves behind wife Ginny, sons Mike and Steve, daughters Lauretta and Kristin, 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Hayden Bible Church, 290 E. Miles Ave. Hayden. Gifts in memory of Norm may be made to Hayden Bible Church.

“Truly, truly I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:24