Obituary of Constance Vandergon Yantes

Connie, age 90, passed away March 26, 2023 while receiving hospice care at St. Therese in Brooklyn Park MN. She was the rock of her family, selfless, committed to those who were judged unfairly, and desired to know the true soul of her family members. She loved going to her cabin in Wisconsin, especially with “The Cousins”.  She also loved books, word games, ballroom dance and tennis (especially Roger Federer).

Preceded in death by parents Ed & Katie Vandergon, sister Mary Kay Crockford, son-in-law Rod Fiscus, grandson Isaac Terrell.  

Survived by brother Don Vandergon, sister Pat Stumpf, children Lynn Fiscus, Paul (Ann) Yantes, David (LeAnn) Yantes, Kay (Joe) Rardin, Ann (RJ) Oelslager, grandchildren Michael Yantes, Joshua Terrell, Rebecca Oelslager, Austin Yantes, Sydney Ulrich, Maxwell Yantes, Matthew Fiscus, Andrew Fiscus, Jonathan Fiscus, Shawn Fiscus, Tamara Blackstock, Anne Fiscus, great grandchildren Destiny, Elijah, Kelly, Dakotah, Emily, Justin, Raelyn, Brooklyn, and many step great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Connie was born on Sept.14,1932, grew up in Maple Lake MN, graduated from Buffalo HIgh School, graduated from St. Cloud Teachers College with a degree in Elementary Education and taught 6th grade in Annandale MN. She married Joe Yantes in 1953, moved to Shoreview MN, and raised 5 children on Cobb Road, where she built life-long friendships. She was active in civil rights during the 1960s and volunteered at St. Peter Claver School in St. Paul. She advocated for her daughter Kay’s education, before special education mandates were the law. When her kids were all in school, she began working in the Roseville School District while attending Metro State University getting a degree in psychology. She worked with emotionally/behaviorally disordered high school students and then worked at Roseville City Hall until retirement. She volunteered with Ramsey County Friends of the Library for the next 15 years. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Shoreview Community Center in the Wedell Community Room, 4580 Victoria St. North on Friday, April 21: 1:00 Visitation, 2:00 Program, with a lunch to follow.

https://www.shoreviewmn.gov/parks-rec/community-center

A private burial will be held at Lakeview Cemetery in Silver Creek this spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to “The Arc Minnesota” which promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. https://arcminnesota.org/