Mina F. Yeager

Mina Faye Yeager, 86, died Sunday March 26th, 2017, at Tabitha at the Landing “Cove House”, in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Mina F. Yeager was born on May 13, 1930, in Gray Summit, MO., to David Orian and Emma Maude (Townsend) Yeager. After graduation from Nebraska City High School in 1947, Mina traveled to the Northwestern coast where she gained employment in a local doctor’s office thus fulfilling a desire to work in the medical realm.  But one day two well dressed military women in uniform happened to walk by her on the street and as Mina recalled the idea formed of serving humanity in yet another way. Just a few short years before in 1941 the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) was created to enable women like Mina to serve in noncombat positions.  Never before had women, with the exception of nurses, served within the ranks of the U.S. Army.  The WAC’s served with distinction but the Woman’s Army Corp remained a separate unit of the U.S Army until 1978, when male and female forces were integrated.  But it was now 1952, World War II was behind us; yet soldiers were once again fighting, this time in the Korean War.  The women in uniform Mina encountered on the street that day were part of the history described above and one day soon Mina would also take her place in history. Mina enlisted with the Women’s Army Corp on February 14, 1952.  As Mina described it she served during the Korean War, Vietnam War and the “cold war”.  Mina served with distinction, from training troops in South Carolina as well as recruiting from coast to coast as well as Hawaii and Guam during her 20 years in the service.  Mina retired as a Master Sergeant from the Armed Forces of America having served faithfully and honorably on March 1, 1972. But that wasn’t the end of her story, her thoughts soon turned back to medicine and another lifelong dream of becoming a registered nurse.  After Army retirement at the age of 42 Mina returned to school and obtained her nursing degree.  Mina used her nursing skills in Key West, Florida where she resided and also in New Hampshire where she eventually settled and spent a large part of her life until she moved back to Nebraska City during the late 1990’s to be closer to her family. Mina was a member of the Catholic Church and was involved in many organizations including the DAR (Daughter of American Revolution), Army Retired Assn., Women’s Army Corps Veteran Assn., American Legion, and the DAV (Disabled American Veterans).

Survivors include nieces and nephews; cousins and other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, March 31 at 2 p.m. at Peterson Mortuary Chapel in Nebraska City with Father McCabe of St. Mary’s Catholic Church officiating, Burial will follow at the Wyuka Cemetery in Nebraska City. Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska City Hospital.  Messages of condolence may be emailed to petersonmortuary@hotmail.com

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