Yvonne Kincheloe

Yvonne Adair Kortum, the fourth of nine children, was born February 24, 1945 to Bud and Edith Kortum. Her short but brave fight with cancer ended with her family and loyal dog, Spud, by her side in Melstone on May 22, 2020.

Yvonne spent her childhood roaming the Chalk Buttes and graduated from Carter County High School in 1963. She married Homer Meade in September of 1963. In this marriage, Yvonne shared two sons, Buddy Flynn and Billy Ray. Yvonne, Homer, and the boys spent time in Augusta, Whitlash and Belt until settling in Roundup. Homer and Yvonne later divorced.

Yvonne spent many years in Roundup as a well-respected vet tech for Doc Arthur. The story goes that a Melstone rancher thought Yvonne would make a perfect match for his son. The rest is history. In 1984, Yvonne married Art Kincheloe; they started their lives together in the Rattlesnake Buttes near Melstone. In 1997, with their three kids: Hope Lynn, Arthur Stanley, and Justin Sid, they moved to "the river." In 2010, they moved to "town" which Yvonne loved – no more 16 mile trips to town for a gallon of milk.

There are many words to describe Yvonne – loyal, hardworking, loving, strong, fire bug, cow whisperer, organized, patient, friend. However, the most important words are wife, mother, and grandmother. Family was the absolute most important thing to her. She shared so many stories of growing up with her siblings, her days at the vet clinic, and so many other memories that she shared with the people she loved most. Her home welcomed many and she loved everyone who entered as though they were her own children. Yvonne was truly the matriarch of her family. If she talked, you listened even right up until the end.

Yvonne is survived by her loving husband of nearly 36 years, Art; their children: Buddy (Linda), Billy (Coleen), Hope (William), Little Art (Jessica), Justin (Melissa); adopted kids: Jeff, Nils, Marcelo, Kendal, TyRaa, and TyLee; grandchildren: Christy (JJ), Cassidy (Josh), Michael (Brennah), Brekken, Broderick, Carter, Kyler, Calen, Colt and Kavann; great-grandchildren: Jonathan, Raylee, Madison, Jace, Zak, Landen, and Creeden; Yvonne's siblings: Ronald (Dorothy), Jeanette, Helen, Dennis (Ande), Roger (Debi), Tim (Sam), and Debra (Dave). She was an aunt to many and was loved by all. Yvonne is proceeded in death by her parents, Bud and Edith; father and mother-in-law, Wendell and Vi Kincheloe; and her brother-in-law, Allan McDaniels.

Yvonne's death brings a tremendous void to her family and to the Melstone community. Yvonne's family will share her life with those who love her at 2 p.m. on May 29, 2020 at the Melstone Community Center. The family will receive people at Wier Funeral Home in Roundup from 5 – 9 p.m. on May 28th. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Melstone Volunteer EMTs.