Wyona Yanda Shipp was born in her Grandmother Wineteer’s home in Bayard, NE, on January 7, 1933. She passed away in Tucson, AZ on June 3, 2024.

Wyona lived on her father’s farm 12 miles from Pine Bluffs, WY. Around age 5, her mother died from pneumonia, so she lived with her Grandmother Emma Bell and Uncle Ray in Chadron, NE, during the winter months and her father during the summer.

Wyona was pursued and won over by her high school sweetheart, Gordon Shipp, when they were seniors. They married June 24, 1951, in Pine Bluffs, and modeled a Godly marriage: A husband’s devoted love to his wife; a wife’s never-ending respect for her husband. Both standing together against all the world threw their way, and sixty-nine years later, love and respect remained as strong as when they began. Gordon died in 2020.

Wyona and Gordon were stationed in Illinois for most of his Air Force service, when their daughter, G. Kim was born. After discharge, Wyona insisted Gordon attend college and she worked hard making lunches for college students and cleaning and cooking for their landlord to ensure Gordon completed his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, while raising Kim and new brother Darryl. Gordon was hired by Hughes Aircraft in 1959 and earned a Master of EE Degree with a work-study program.

Wyona had a God-given gift of playing piano by ear, inspired by watching her mother play. At three years old, her mother discovered her playing “Jesus Loves Me” without ever reading music. As an adult, Wyona’s playing was a hit at whatever dinner party allowed her to play. Her love of music inspired her daughter’s career in piano and teaching music and her son’s tours with the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus and later a gospel quartet. Her dedication to education ensured that, not just her husband, but her children earned Master Degrees in their respective fields.

Wyona and Gordon were avid square and round dancers for over 40 years and were instrumental in building the Square and Round Dance Center on Delano and 1st in Tucson.

Wyona is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Yanda, her husband, and siblings, Everett Yanda, Juanita Neeley, Wayne Yanda, and Eileen Wisroth (by 2 months to the day.) She is survived by daughter Kim (Dennis), son Darryl (Treva), grandsons Andrew (Maegan) and Kevin, great-granddaughters Molli Ann, Adde Mae, Emmery Sue and Josephine Ruth, brother Ray (Nancy), many beloved nephews and nieces, and loved brother-in-law Gary (Mary).

Memorial services for Wyona and Gordon will be held on son Darryl’s new farm in Michigan. Funeral Arrangements by Bring’s Broadway Chapel in Tucson.

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Wyona Yanda Shipp