Loreda "Rita" Yandell

Loreda “Rita” Yandell, of Coos Bay, Oregon, went to meet Lord Jesus August 17, 2024. Rita was 91 years old and passed away peacefully at the Dallas Retirement Village after a wonderful day surrounded by her loved ones. Rita is survived by her daughter, Cindy (Casey) Matthews; her son, Lon (Jamie) Yandell; her son-in-law, Mike Main; her brother, Ray Harris, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great, great-grandchildren. Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Argus Yandell; daughters, Sharon Main and Bonnie Yandell; her parents and six of her siblings. Rita was loved by all and touched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Rita was born February 2, 1933, in Altus, Arkansas, as one of eight children. When she was 14 years old, she met the love of her life, Argus Yandell, and they were married on October 23, 1947, in Hunt, Arkansas by Argus’ father, a Presbyterian preacher. Times were tough in Arkansas in 1948, so they packed up and moved to Coos Bay, Oregon to work in the timber industry and start a family. At first, they lived in a tent as Coos Bay was booming so there was an extreme housing shortage. But eventually they bought a home in Bunker Hill where they lived out most of their lives and raised their family. Their marriage was the kind that dreams are made of and they lived blissfully together until Argus’ death in 2014. After Argus passed Rita sold the long-time family home and moved to Monmouth, Oregon to live with her daughter Cindy and her husband Casey. She received incredible love, care, and support from Cindy, Lon, and especially her son-in-law Casey until she fell and broke her hip earlier this year. Following her fall Rita needed extra care so she had to move to Dallas Retirement Village assisted living where she would spend her final days entertaining family members, playing word games, watching Jeopardy! and playing bingo. Although nearly blind from macular degeneration, she never let that stop her and carried on with life as best she could. Rita was always a determined fighter who never gave up.

Rita was fortunate that she did not have to work unless she wanted to. She spent her time sewing, raising the kids, teaching Sunday school, bowling, gardening, and taking care of Argus. But she did end up working at several jobs including Anita’s and The Hub where she worked in the yardage department and became a prolific seamstress. Rita was a fabulous mother, and her family was her life. One of the biggest highlights for Rita was the family’s annual trips from Coos Bay to Arkansas to see her mom and dad and the rest of her family. These annual Arkansas trips were epic and remain some of the family’s most cherished memories.

Rita had a deep faith in God and, along with her husband Argus, dedicated much of their lives to their church family at First Baptist Church, Coos Bay where she was a member for sixty-five years. Besides her deep faith, Rita was known for many things especially her dedication to her family, her love of laughter, her constant sewing and quilting, and her incredible variety of phobias. She will be missed by all who knew her, but her legacy will never die. Rita was truly a special woman, and all her unique personality quirks have cemented her reputation as one of a kind. She will be forever loved by her family which is all she ever wanted in life.

Arrangements are under the care of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131 www.coosbayareafunerals.com

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