Michael Yamnitz
December 28, 1941 — October 11, 2024
Michael Allen Yamnitz, 82, passed away on October 11, 2024, at his home in Ankeny Iowa. He was born on December 28, 1941, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Marvin and Aileen (Clark) Yamnitz.
Mike graduated from Roosevelt High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He and his wife, Sharon met as teenagers and married on June 1, 1963.
Michael was a sales manager at the Liggett Group for over 25 years. He is a Vietnam War veteran, having served in the Air Force. He enjoyed fishing, collecting baseball cards, watching St. Louis baseball and Hawkeye football and basketball, and engaging in music and dancing.
Michael is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughter Chris (Tom) Albers; son, Steve Yamnitz; sister, Deborah (Mike); step-siblings, Pam and Bob; grandchildren, Holly (Denis) and Sarah; great-grandchild, Simone.
Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Aileen; brothers, Terry and Stephen; and stepmom, Pauline.
Family will greet guests on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa. Interment will be held following the service at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Tunnels to Towers Foundation, Animal Rescue League, or Church of the Way, Des Moines.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com
PAM LANGLEY
10/16/2024
RICK AND I ARE SENDING OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO SHARON AND FAMILY. I HAVE MEMORIES OF HOW MIKE LIKED THE ST.LOUIS CARDINALS BASEBALL TEAM .A FUNNY MEMORY WAS WE WERE TALKING ON THE PHONE AND SHARON HAD FRENCH FRIES COMING OUT OF THE OVEN , I THOUGHT MIKE WAS GOING TO HANG UP ON ME TO GET TO THE FRIES LOL. SHARON TOOK GREAT CARE OF MIKE. IT ISNT EASY TO LOOSE A LOVED ONE BUT MAY THE HEARTFELT MEMORIES YOU SHARED ALWAYS REMAIN IN YOUR HEARTS❤ I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THAT PAULINE HIS STEPMOM LOVED HIM DEARLY AND ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO MIKE AND SHARONS VISITS . I CAN SEE MY MOM AND MARVIN GREETING MIKE IN HEAVEN WITH OPEN ARMS! GOD BLESS AND LOVE TO ALL. PAM
Mike Conley
10/15/2024
My deepest condolences to Mike's family. His passing has to be a tremendous loss.
My memories are of Mike and his family visiting St. Louis and our family making a couple of trips to Iowa. These were always fun and enjoyable times. Had we lived closer I am sure we would have shared a lot more time together.
Two years before his Mom passed away Mike and Sharon were in town for a visit. They came over to our home. Some fun dance music was on and before long Mike and his Mom were dancing in the middle of our living room, both laughing and enjoying the time together. One of my many thoughts I had when I heard that Mike had passed was that evening Mike and his Mom were able to share another dance and enjoy their time together again.
I know this has been a long and difficult journey these last few years for you and your family. Rest in peace. May the many beautiful memories your family and all who knew you continue to live in our hearts.
Deborah Conley
10/15/2024
I will miss our conversations on the phone and his silly jokes. It was apparent that he was a man of faith. I imagine that profound faith sustained him on some of the roughest roads that he had to travel.
I'm sure that his reception thru the pearly gates were met with broad smiles and the open arms of Jesus, his brothers, parents, step-mother, brother-in-law and mother-in-law. And, of course, there was a bag of White Castles, plate of fudge and a bounty of country fried chicken waiting for him.
I'll miss you, big brother! Love you!