Karl Yard - 3/14/25

March 14th, 2025

We gather today to celebrate the life of Karl Yard, even as we mourn his death. In the Bible we find comfort and hope,

8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, NLT)

Though we feel the suddenness of Karl’s death acutely, we know that we do not grieve alone, and we do not grieve without hope. Today we find strength and hope in the message of the gospel and in the person of Jesus Christ. So, let’s pray together.

Our Heavenly Father, our hearts ache today as we are forced to face the reality of Karl’s death. But even as we do, we pray that you would also help us to remember his life. Grant us comfort from remembering the man he was and the impact he made on so many; but also grant us the hope that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Surround us with your strength we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Karl Yard was born February 19th, 1954 in La Harpe, the son of L. Eldon and Evelyn I (Wetzel) Yard. He graduated from La Harpe High School in 1972 and attended Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg. On May 13, 1989, he married Leana Thompson Troute. Together they formed a blended family with his three sons and Leana’s two girls. Both he and Leana loved all 5 children as their own.

Karl was a jack of all trades, working for Thermogas, the Blandinsville Water Department, and Larry Jones, before beginning a 25-year career at Western Illinois University. In addition to these jobs, he also operated Yard Repair and farmed near LaHarpe.

He was very active in the community, a member of the La Harpe Union Church, La Harpe Masonic Lodge, Quincy Consistory, and served on the Lions Club and La Harpe Fire Department for a period of time as well. He loved golfing, hunting and fishing, traveling, most anything that involved horsepower (NASCAR, air shows, drag racing, boating), and Iowa Hawkeyes girls’ basketball. His favorite activities were watching his children and grandchildren exercise their unique talents. The only thing he enjoyed more than watching them do these things was sharing activities with them. He and Leana loved traveling together to Branson, Mexico, and various wineries around the country as well. He died on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the age of 71.

Karl Yard was someone who always wanted to be active. He felt that it was important to work hard, so he did. He sought to instill that same work ethic into his children as well. From an early age, he told them they needed to earn their keep. He was happy to teach them the things he knew, but he expected them to pull their weight. When they built their house, everyone was given work to do on it (though everyone seemed to agree that Teresa got off easy!) He wanted them to learn the value of hard work, but he also wanted everyone to feel like they had some ownership in their new family home.

Karl was big into energy efficiency. When they built the home, Karl thought carefully about how to make it as efficient as possible. He embraced new energy efficient technologies when they came out. He was also possibly the only person who bought a muscle car and then made it less powerful, just so it would be more energy efficient.

When the kids were younger, Karl loved to have them outdoors doing things with him. He took the boys on many walks up and down the creek. He told me that in the winter there were many times one of them would fall through the ice, but he’d just pull them out and they’d keep going. Recently, some of the grandkids made a similar trek, and it brought Karl great joy to think about that tradition living on.

He also had them work with him on the farm. The boys were always thrown into the middle of whatever he was doing. He relied on them heavily. But he would include the girls in the chores as appropriate as well. They all helped work livestock at times, but he always kept an eye on them. Colby recalls his dad protecting him from a charging hog once, and Teresa said something similar happened with an energetic cow. Karl threw himself between them and the animal and ensured they got to safety.

Karl’s felt like the kids should get dirty and learn by exploring. One day he came out to discover they were playing in some muddy water, just having a blast stomping around. Karl realized that the reason the water was muddy was because it was running off the pile of hog manure nearby. The kids didn’t care, and he didn’t think it was worth getting worked up about, so he just told them they’d need to hose off before coming inside.

I know there were multiple experiences where the boys helped him cutting hogs. I’m told that one time they decided they would make Rocky Mountain Oysters after they finished the job (if you aren’t familiar with the dish, I’ll let you google it…) One of Colby’s friends got to sample the dish and decided it tasted pretty good…until he found out what the meat actually was!

Karl was also the one to teach everyone to shoot. He made sure the boys were all good shots and taught the girls to shoot as well. Karl always half-jokingly called Blaze his other son because Blaze was always around. Karl loved Blaze much like one of his own. So one day, he was taking Blaze and Colby out to the cabin, and asked if Blaze wanted to shoot a gun. Blaze was a bit intimidated because Colby was a pro already at that age, but Blaze didn’t want to let on that he didn’t know what he was doing. Karl handed him a handgun and told him to aim and pull the trigger. Blaze did his best to act like he knew what he was doing, but he was confident Karl knew all along that he was clueless. Blaze also said that Karl may have preferred Blaze not talk about the fact that Karl was who taught him to shoot, because unlike the boys, he’s a terrible shot!

In the early years, the kids remember spending lots of time out on the river in the boat. Their boats were never real fancy and often broke down, but they still have lots of fun memories of boating together. Michelle recalled her Snoopy skis and Jarrid helping her learn to get up on them.

Karl was also a good cook. He was especially good at breakfast and loved to make waffles, eggs, or biscuits and gravy. Once a month, he’d get donuts and bring them home. He also taught the kids how to cook as well. At the holidays, Karl made the turkey. He was a traditionalist, so he didn’t inject the turkey or brine it in advance. The result was that Karl’s turkey…left you appreciating your drink. But Karl’s somewhat dry turkey became part of their family tradition. Everyone else happily chipped in with other elements of the meal. When it came time to divide up the leftovers, Karl was known to push you to take more, because otherwise he’d be eating it for weeks!

As the kids got older and became parents themselves, they came to appreciate just how hard Karl had worked to provide for them, to be their biggest cheerleaders, and to make sure they felt safe and secure. A word that came up often when talking about him as a father and husband was stability. He wasn’t flashy, he didn’t get too worked up about anything, but he was stable, and ensured that everything kept running in everyone’s life.

Karl had to be one of the most patient men I’ve ever met. Every member of the family remarked how nothing ever seemed to rattle him, and how he seemed to remain calm and patient in most any situation. The kids often appreciated that even-tempered persona. Teresa recalled the time she got arrested while she was still in high school. Her mom asked Karl to pick her up from jail and bring her home. Karl didn’t say much, because he didn’t have to. Teresa was grateful for Karl’s gentleness at a time when he could have really let her have it. That was just Karl’s nature.

When the kids got older, he continued to help them be successful as they built their lives. He helped them build and remodel houses, helped them learn how to navigate the challenges of adult life, and shared wisdom about raising kids when he was asked. But Karl wasn’t pushy with any of this. He had the patience to let each of them learn things on their own. He knew this was a far better choice in the long run, even though it might cause some frustration short-term. He knew eventually they’d be interested in his perspective, and then they’d be much more willing to listen. He saw the big picture, which enabled him to play the long game in most everything he did.

Probably nowhere was this more true than in the way he continued to work on people’s homes, even after he retired. Everyone knew that Karl was capable of just about anything, and even though he was technically retired, he seemed to still be on the go pretty much non-stop. I can’t tell you how many people I heard say, “I know Karl’s retired, but he’s going to do this for me.” Karl understood that he was doing more than just fixing furnaces or doing repairs around the house. He was investing in people’s lives. He understood that an investment in people always pays off, even if it would never make him wealthy. Leana said Karl knew some people would have a job that would only take about 15 minutes to do, but he’d be there for over an hour, because he knew that what that person needed more than a working furnace, light switch, sink or anything else was to know they mattered. Monica said it well when she described Karl as “a missionary with tools.”

Church was always a priority for Karl, and he felt like it was his responsibility to model faith for his family as well. This meant that they always had to be in church on Sunday morning. They had to be at the 8:00 service bright and early, no matter how late they’d been out the night before. He wanted to instill that discipline at an early age.

Karl was the go-to fix-it guy for the church. He kept so many things running and helped with many upgrades over the years. As I was talking with some of the guys Sunday, they were scrambling to remember all the projects Karl was currently working on. He often came in during the week to work on things. Most people have no idea just how much he did for the church. And I think that’s the way he wanted it to be.

As much as Karl loved being a dad, he loved being a grandpa even more. He could barely talk about any of his grandkids without tearing up. He just loved them so much and was so proud of each of them. He spoke with great pride about Colby, Parker, and Trey’s military service, as that was something he always wished he’d done. Though it hurt his heart to think of them being in harm’s way, he beamed with pride at their service to their country. He often spoke proudly of the grandkids’ athletic achievements or their success in school or in pageants. He told me proudly about how Haxtun had asked if he could say the prayer for the family Thanksgiving this past year. He loved watching all his grandkids spread their wings and excel.

They all knew that grandpa and grandma would make an effort to be at all their events, no matter the distance. They would travel to softball games, dance recitals, pageants, football games, music programs, or anything else. He and Leana wanted them to know that they were important and valued.

Lexie said that it didn’t matter how she’d played, whether she’d had the greatest game of her career or struck out every time at the plate, she knew Karl would greet her afterward like she’d just won the world series. She knew he was her biggest fan, and her heart swelled when he was in the stands.

Karrigan told of how grandpa always seemed to have a picture of the girls on his lockscreen. She had helped him set up the Bluetooth in his van, so it always announced the connection in her voice. When she asked him why he never changed it, he said, “This way I get to hear your voice every day!”

He and Leana had a wonderful, loving relationship as well. They worked hard to build a strong marriage, because they wanted to model that for their children. They decided early on that their marriage would be built on Ephesians 5, and that they would have love and respect at the core of everything they did. They decided they would never refer to each other as “the old ball and chain”, or “my old man” or “my old lady”, as that didn’t show much respect. They endeavored to cherish one another, not merely tolerate one another.

Sometimes, the kids felt they took that a little too far, because they always seemed to try to embarrass the kids by kissing or holding hands. Leana said they made sure to kiss at least three times a day. Karl always started his day by spending time with her. When the kids moved out, they were informed that they were welcome back any time, but if the door was locked…they might want to knock! The real goal was not necessarily to embarrass the kids, but to help model for them a loving, solid, biblical relationship.

Even over the last week, it was apparent how much they both loved each other, and the tenderness he had in his heart for Leana and all his children. For as quiet as he often was, he was not shy about telling them he loved them. He had a good understanding of what was most important.

Karl did have a bit of an ornery streak though. Colby had two buddies from his days in the Marines, Brad and Dave, who came down to hunt each year. Karl loved going out to the cabin with them and just enjoying the camaraderie of the group. One time, a random guy came up to the cabin and Karl started talking to him. Turns out, he was also hunting…bigfoot. He told Karl all about his exploits and Karl just soaked it all up clearly enjoying the stories. The guy was looking for directions to get to Macomb from there. When the man left, Karl told the guys that he’d given the man terrible directions, and he’d never make it to Macomb. He said, at one point I told him he’d run into a sign that says dead-end, but he could just keep going, he’d make it just fine! To this day, those three guys remember the conversation and often give each other gifts with sasquatch on it.

Trey knew his grandpa was very proud of his military service, but every time he’d see him, Karl would greet him with, “How you doing, soldier?” And every time, Trey would correct him, saying, I’m a sailor, not a soldier. To which Karl would reply, with a twinkle in his eyes, “Same thing!”

Similarly, through the years, he and Jim Lenix exchanged more than their fair share of pranks. Once, Karl hung ropes from the chassis of Jim’s car and put the ropes in front of the rear wheels, so that when Jim went to back out of his space, the car would squat, then the wheels spin. It took Jim a long time to figure out what exactly was happening. Karl let Jim stew for weeks before finally revealing he was the one who’d done it. One time Jim tried to prank Karl, but Karl managed to turn the tables on him and got the upper hand!

Though Karl enjoyed giving people a hard time, he appreciated a good ribbing as well. In the hospital the day before he died, they weren’t sure if he was listening to them. Monica offered to turn the TV on for him, telling him “I could turn on some CNN for you to watch!” Karl’s eyes suddenly snapped open and he almost sat up in bed. How dare she offer to turn on CNN! But that was exactly the reaction everyone expected.

Karl loved his morning coffee time with the guys out at K&C. Most people knew that if Karl said he’d be there to work on something, he would…but it wouldn’t be until after his coffee with the guys. The guys enjoyed their time with him as well. Throughout the day, they might think about calling him, but they always had to check the time because if it was during the noon hour, when Gunsmoke was on, they knew Karl wouldn’t answer.

He also enjoyed playing golf after he retired. He loved his time with the group at men’s league on Tuesday nights. Lenus remarked that while Karl wasn’t the guy who hit the ball the farthest or necessarily looked like the greatest golfer, he was amazed how often Karl’s team would win the night because he’d do something to help his team at just the right time. I’m told he is a local legend after the night that everyone decided they would play the last hole with the same club. Most guys chose an iron they could hit, chip, and putt with. Karl chose a driver. In two shots he was next to the hole. He chipped up with his driver and then used the driver to sink his birdie putt! It’s a feat unlikely to ever be matched.

Karl was an honorable man in most every way. He took care of his family. He worked hard, he treated people with dignity and respect, and he dealt with people fairly. He wasn’t concerned with himself, he had no ego. He would rather go without if it meant he could make others comfortable. He was a man of his word—if Karl said he was going to do something, he would…even if it took a while for him to get around to it. When his dad died, Karl took great care of his mom. He never complained or gave it a second thought. He knew it was the right thing to do, so he cared for her till the very end.

Probably the greatest testament to Karl’s life and legacy, however, was the fact that every single one of his kids said they wanted to emulate him. The boys each said that they hoped to be a father and a man like Karl, and the girls said they wanted to find their “Karl” that they could marry someday. Even his sons-and daughters-in-law understood this. Teresa’s boyfriend said he started asking himself, “What would Karl do?” And Monica said her relationship with Karl helped her mend her relationship with her own father. Karl may not have drawn much attention to himself or the things he did, but that quiet stability, and the consistent service and selflessness of his life spoke louder than anything else could. And I think that’s a legacy worth imitating.

We all know Karl didn’t do well with the whole retirement thing. He didn’t know how to sit still. His nickname was KEY, because those were his initials. He used to sign all his papers at WIU, including his retirement papers with KEY. Today, KEY has earned the rest he’s worked for. He gets the chance to retire from the labors of this life and to enjoy his time with His Savior.

SONG – Big Green Tractor – Jason Aldean

As we face Karl’s death today, there is a great deal of grief that we feel for having lost such a great person. That pain is much more acute because of how sudden it feels. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard in the past week about how people had just seen him or worked with him only days prior. He and I had just had a conversation about how blessed he was that he’s been in good health for pretty much his whole life. We weren’t prepared for Karl to be gone. So that loss is, in many ways, magnified.

But we do not mourn without hope today. Karl professed an active faith in Jesus Christ, and Jesus promised that for those who trust in Him, there is life beyond the grave. Listen to what Jesus said,

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. (John 14:1-3, NLT)

Today we hold to this hope, that even though Karl’s life on this earth has ended, the story isn’t over. Karl didn’t fear death, because he knew what lay ahead for him. Today, I believe Karl is face-to-face with his Savior. I think he is getting to see all the ways God used his quiet service to impact others. Today, Karl Yard is more alive than he has ever been.

Let me be clear. I do not believe that Karl is in heaven today because he was a good man. I always thought very highly of Karl, and I suspect many of you did too, but Karl would also be the first to tell you that he was far from perfect. He understood that he was a sinner in need of a savior.

Many people seem to believe that everyone goes to heaven when they die. They think that God would never punish people for their sin. But the Bible is quite clear on this fact, every one of us has sinned and we have fallen short of God’s standard of perfection. So every one of us deserves to spend eternity separated from Him.

But thankfully that’s not the end of the story, God provided a way for us to be forgiven and to spend eternity in heaven, even though we don’t deserve it. Jesus said quite clearly,

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (John 14:6, NLT)

There is only one hope for us to be forgiven, and that is to trust Jesus to do what we cannot and to follow Him with our lives. Karl was not a perfect person, far from it, but he trusted and sought to follow the One who was perfect. As such, today we do not mourn without hope. Today our grief is for our loss, not for Karl’s, because he has lost nothing.

But this reminds us of a fact we must each face as well. Each of us will one day stand face-to-face with God at the end of our lives. If the last week has taught us anything, it’s that we do not know when that day will be. So we should make sure we are prepared. If you hope to stand before the Lord and convince Him you’re a good person who deserves to be in heaven, you will be in for a terrible surprise when He explains that you’re not. Our only hope is to trust in Jesus to forgive us, and then to follow Him in the way we live each day. It is my hope (and I think it would be Karl’s too) that you will have such a faith, so that no matter what comes, you can face it with the certainty Karl had.

As we conclude today, I want to draw some lessons from the life of Karl Yard.

1. When you find someone you love, it’s ok to be mushy—even if (and maybe especially if!) it makes your kids uncomfortable.

2. Hard work usually pays off. You may not end up rich, but you’ll probably be respected.

3. People may not remember everything you did for them, but they will remember how you made them feel. So endeavor to make people feel important and valued.

4. Family is a gift from God to be treasured, so make sure those you love know you love them. Tell them often, show them even more.

5. Living your faith doesn’t have to involve standing in front of a crowd preaching, God calls you to be a missionary for Him wherever you go. Look for ways to be your version of “a missionary with tools.”

6. Matters of faith are not merely theoretical and are not just for Sunday mornings. In the end, it’s the only thing that matters. So make sure you know where you stand.

7. Patience is a virtue. Most of the time other people don’t learn things as quickly as we might like. But if you’re patient with people, they’ll be willing and grateful students forever.

8. There are very few situations where getting worked up about things makes them any better. Often it’s better to have a level head than to fly off the handle.

9. Even dry turkey tastes special when you know it’s made with love.

10. Everyone needs a cheerleader in life. When you think of those who’ve cheered for you, it ought to drive you to cheer for others as well.

Will you pray with me?

Lord, we thank you for the life of Karl Yard. We are grateful for his impact and his service to so many of us today. His death leaves a gaping hole in our lives, so help us as we figure out how to move forward. In the times when that hole feels especially acute, may we remember just how blessed we were to have known Karl. Grant us your comfort and your strength in the days and weeks to come. And grant us the confidence that can come only from you. Help us, we ask, in Jesus’ name. Amen.