Marie J. (Arlt) Rick Yost

Marie J. (Arlt) Rick Yost, 102 of La Crosse died on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at Brookdale Sterling House, Assisted Living in La Crosse. She was born June 20, 1921, in La Crosse to Joseph and Caroline (Schedivy) Arlt (both of whom came from Czechoslovakia) and graduated from Aquinas High School in 1939.

She married Chester Rick on November 30, 1940, and he preceded her in death on September 18, 1979. On October 11, 1985, she married Arhtur A. Yost, and he preceded her in death on November 3, 2017.

Marie had worked as a factory worker for the La Crosse Trane Company for over 42 years, retiring in 1986. She was a member of the Trane 25-year club. Following her retirement, she traveled to eight countries with her husband, Art.

Marie and her twin sister, Caroline, enjoyed playing guitar and singing alto and soprano together. Marie was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, later, Mary, Mother of the Church Parish since 1948 where she sang in the choir. She also belonged to a prayer group for 12 years and helped serve funeral luncheons for many years. She was also a member of the Eagles Auxiliary, as well as a member of the Happy Twirlers square dance club in La Crosse. Marie loved to make poppyseed kolaches and bohemian rye bread. She was proud of her large (city lot) vegetable and flower garden, and per Marie, I want to be known as “a hard worker.”

Marie is survived by her son, Ron Rick of Onalaska; one stepdaughter, Julie Chodek of Apple Valley, MN; two step-grandchildren, Kristen (Matt) Jesse of Apple Valley, MN and Ricky (Coree) Chodek of Mendota Heights, MN; step-great-grandchildren, Michael and Madison Jesse both of Apple Valley, MN; Franklin and Jetta Chodek both of Mendota Heights, MN; along with several nieces and nephews. In addition to her two husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; and seven sisters, including her twin sister, Caroline Umberger, who died on January 20, 1996.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday, January 8th at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, 2006 Weston Street, La Crosse with Rev. Brian D. Konopa officiating. Burial will follow in Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the Mass.  Memorials are preferred to Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, Aquinas High School Foundation, Gundersen Health System Foundation or Guadalupe Shrine in La Crosse.

Marie’s family would like to thank the entire staff at Brookdale Assisted Living, Internal Medicine staff at Gundersen Heath System in La Crosse or the Gundersen Emergency Services.