Robert "Bob" B. Yost

Robert Bruce Yost, age 89 of Coleridge, Nebraska died on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Coleridge with the Rev. Marilyn Hasemann officiating. Burial will be at the Coleridge City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, at church, from 5-7:00 p.m. and will continue on Friday morning one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Coleridge.

Pallbearers will be Chris Yost, Craig Yost, Adam Kleinschmit, Josh Maurer, Austin Maurer, and Jordan Wurdeman.

Robert “Bob” Bruce Yost, son of Loverne Bruce and Zella Grace (VanGilder) Yost of Coleridge, was born on April 26, 1936 in the Methodist Hospital at Sioux City, IA. He was baptized on August 2, 1936 in the Methodist parsonage at Page, NE by his grandfather, the Reverend Lawrence Yost.

Bob graduated from Coleridge High School in May of 1953 and attended Wayne State College and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He was then employed at the Madison Star newspaper at Madison, NE. He and Elizabeth “Beth” Nelle Lauersen were married on June 28, 1957 at the First Lutheran Church in Oakland. Bob and Beth lived in Lexington where he was employed at the Lexington Clipper. They were members of Grace Lutheran church. Their first child, David Bruce was born while living there.

In late 1959 they moved to Coleridge when Bob had the opportunity to become Publisher of his home town newspaper, the Coleridge Blade on January 1, 1960. He served his community in this position for 42 years from 1960 to 2002. He received the Golden Pica Pole award from the Nebraska Sate Press Assn for 50 years in the newspaper business. Son Michael Lee and daughter Shari Lea also joined the family. They are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church where Bob served as sound tech for many years.

Bob served in many community services, including 27 years as an EMT and 25 years on the Coleridge Fire Dept. He was a United States Weather Service observer for 44 years. He also was a Boy Scout leader and served on many community boards and was recognized for numerous community service awards.

During his many terms on the Coleridge Village Board, he was involved in the building of Ridge View Manor and the Coleridge Medical Clinic; renovation of the government grain storage building into the Coleridge Community Building; and also Park View Haven and The Embers.

Bob enjoyed boating and camping with his family and visiting many interesting sites. His biggest hobby was carving, with his specialty of carving personalized canes. He has carved over 460 canes since he started carving. He is a charter member of the Coleridge Carvers.

Bob is survived by his wife Beth, of 68 ½ years; son, Michael Lee Yost, Susan Colbert; daughter, Shari Lea and Todd Maurer; daughter-in-law, Deborah Yost (David, deceased); eight grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ruth and Donald Tucker; and nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his son David Bruce in 2018; parents Loverne and Zella Yost; parents-in-law, Leslie (Ella) Lauersen; brother and sister-in-law William (Bill) and Orpha Jean Yost; two sisters and brothers-in-law Shirley (Derald) Crom and Marilyn (Kenneth) Stonum.