Marlin Ross Yates

Marlin Yates, 87, of Absarokee died Thursday morning July 26, 2012 at the Stillwater Community Hospital in Columbus. He was born to Kenneth and Eva (Crooks) Yates in Miles City. Marlin grew-up in New Salem, North Dakota where his father was a barber and his mother, a school teacher. At the age of 16 Marlin was offered a job with the Northern Pacific Railraod as a telegraph/Morse code operator. In 1943 he served in the United States Army, Second Military Railroad Service, European Theater of Operations in northern France, Germany and central Europe. Following his honorable discharge, Marlin returned to North Dakota working again for the railraod. He met his wife Laverne Jopp in Dickinson as she worked as an agent at the time. They married following a six month courting and raised three children together. The majority of Marlin's career had him working in small Montana and North Dakota rail stations, eventually moving to Billings, then Laurel. He retired in 1983. They loved the mountains and made their home in Absarokee, enjoying the wildlife and scenery of the Beartooth Mountains. Marlin's friends affectionately referred to Marlin as the "Program Director". Left to cherish Marlin's memory is his wife Laverne; children Ross (Karla) Yates, Stephanie (Stuart) Prather, daughter in-law Joan Yates; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren; a sister Carley Olson and many friends. Funeral Services will be held 1:00pm Monday July 30, 2012 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Absarokee.

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