April Lynn Yantis: beloved wife, mom, mommy, grammy, daughter, sister, nurse and friend passed away unexpectedly on August 2nd, 2025, at the age of 46. Her absence leaves an unimaginable void in the lives of those who loved her.
Born on April 30th, 1979, April was the heart of the family. She is survived by her devoted husband and best friend, Rob Yantis, her children and biggest fans, Elijah (Lorena) Yantis, Ethan (Jaedra) Yantis, and Erin (Ali) Yantis-Dag, and her three grandbabies, Oliver, Finnick and Perseus, who, in just a few short years experienced a lifetime of unconditional love. She was a fierce and loving mother-in-law who she loved each one like her own children. She is also survived by her loving parents Les and Carol Huckins, her siblings Chris (Erin) Huckins and Elaina (Brien) O’Brien with their children, her grandparents Jack and Carol Lee, nieces and nephews, and many extended family members, and of course her beloved dog, Walter.
She was a cherished friend, a devoted nurse, and the guiding light of her family. She had a rare gift which she used to make every day brighter, every life she touched better, and every room warmer. A life-long dedicated health care professional who poured her love unto her patients and the systems that cared for them. She dedicated herself to helping others in her career and far beyond it. Through her work, her gifts, her crafts, her quiet acts of kindness. She gave more than she took. Through her many, many hand-stitched quilts, handmade dolls, and care baskets for neighbors, friends, and even strangers. She left pieces of her heart everywhere she went.
April lived a life of intentional love. Her home was her sanctuary, the gathering place, the place we all naturally gravitated towards because she was the laughter, the peace, and the next step when you didn’t know what you needed, you came to her. She didn’t always have the answer, but she always had a solution. She made things work; she was a force of nature.
Her relationship with her children was something precious and irreplaceable. She was our best friend, soul connected in a way that against all odds, even with a full cup, kept pouring and continued to grow. Her love, her marriage, and her friendship with her husband was the foundation of their family. Their love, full of long morning conversations of the porch, dreams, laughter and a fierce mutual respect. Together they built a home where love was abundant, and family was everything. The color to all our gray.
Since her passing, the outpouring of love from our community has been overwhelming and perfectly honors the love she gave to us. She touched countless lives through her compassion, her presence and her unwavering kindness. Her loss is felt so deeply, and she will be missed beyond words. To know her, to be loved by her. She was everyone’s person, especially ours.
She loved daisies and sunflowers which can be delivered to 3 Custer Ave, Ft. Meade SD 57741. Or in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be given to the family directly to support the creation of a lasting headstone in memory of April.
A Celebration of Life for April
Please join us as we gather to honor and celebrate the life of our beautiful April. The service will be held at 3:00 PM, this Saturday, August 9th at our home, outside on the front lawn, where April loved to welcome friends and family. Her front porch was her sanctuary, a place where life was shared and memories were made, and we invite you to join us in that same spirit.
Details of the Celebration:
When: Saturday, 3:00 PM
Where: Our home, outdoors, 3 Custer Ave, Ft Meade, SD 57741
What to Bring: Please bring a yard chair to sit comfortably during the service. If you have any quilts or stuffed animals crafted by April, we would be honored to display them on the porch railings as a tribute to her creativity and love.
Attire: April always envisioned a semi-formal gathering, so we encourage you to dress accordingly.
Our son, Ethan, will officiate the service, guiding us through an open time of sharing. We invite family and friends to step up to the microphone and share stories, memories, and reflections of April’s remarkable life. There’s no rush—we’ll let the moment guide us and conclude when the time feels right. We will also have a basket for you to leave written stories that we will upload for everyone to see later and a memorial will be established at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with her obituary.
A slideshow celebrating April’s life will play throughout the evening. If you have photos of April you’d be willing to share, please upload them using this link: https://dropevent.com/with71248
April touched countless lives, and we anticipate a heartfelt gathering of those whose lives she impacted. This celebration is an opportunity for all who knew her to come together, share, and carry her legacy and memory forward in our hearts.
We look forward to seeing you as we celebrate the extraordinary woman April was, surrounded by the love and memories she cherished.