Mary Yonkovich, 59, of Brookings, passed away on Friday, July 8, 2022.  A memorial service celebrating Mary's life will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.  A time of visitation and fellowship will precede the service from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. Wednesday afternoon at Eidsness Funeral Home.

Mary Yonkovich was born on October 7, 1962, to Michael and Shirley (Spradlin) Schreiner, in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Growing up with her father in the military, Mary's family made several moves throughout the United States, ultimately settling in Sisseton, South Dakota.  Mary graduated from Sisseton High School in 1981. In 1994 Mary returned to South Dakota where she called Brookings home.  Soon after, Mary met Matt Yonkovich, her life partner of 27 years, to whom she wed On December 30, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. During her time in Brookings, Mary became a member of the Sisseton American Legion Auxiliary and the Sisseton VFW Auxiliary

Mary worked at the Brookings Hy-Vee store for nearly 16 years as a baker.  She also spent several years working at Larson Manufacturing in Brookings.  Mary greatly enjoyed the friends that she was able to make while working.

Throughout her life Mary has three main passions-cooking, lake life, and her grandchildren.  Mary was known to be an excellent cook and loved preparing meals for her family and friends.  She was a wonderful hostess, affectionately earning the title of the "Auntie Mary" by many who knew her.  Mary and Matt's 4 ^th of July parties were exceptional, and loved by many who shared their time on Lake Campbell.  Life on the lake provided many opportunities for the children in Mary's life to swim, explore, laugh, and make memories.  Above all, Mary loved her family and especially loved being a grandma.  Sharing time at the lake with her grandchildren was Mary's greatest joy in life, and she enjoyed participating in any activity with the kids as much as she was able.

Mary is survived by her husband of nearly 17 years, Matt Yonkovich; children: Jeremy (Richele) Schreiner, Thomas Allen, Joshua Allen, and Hannah (Justin) Bovee; grandchildren: Tyler, Lyric, Ladaymien, Tanner, Leticia, Anina, Emme, Jaylynn, Jaxton, Electra, and may others that claimed her as Grandma Mary; great-grandchild, Brayden Anthony Squire; parents: Michael and Shirley Schreiner; father-in-law, John Yonkovich; siblings: Linda Thue, Michael John Schreiner, and Nancy Selzler; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by: Ordell Yonkovich, Ethel and Joe Schreiner, Florence and Allen Spradlin, Anna Julius, and Joletta Selzler.