Yvonne Nucaro

Yvonne Nucaro, 85, of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, formerly of Adair, Iowa, died August 21, 2024 while with family.

Yvonne Marie was born on March 27, 1939, in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Harold Jessie and Nellie Mae (Gunther) Stillian. She was the 4th born of five children, Gene, Donna, Janet and Albert. Her family lived in Atlantic until at the age of three they made Marne home. She attended Marne schools through the eighth grade, and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1957.

In 1959, she was united in marriage to Clifford (Kipp) Johnson. The couple was blessed with two children, Clifton and Lori. Following their marriage, they lived in Marne for a short time before moving to Sedalia, MO, where they operated a motel for three years. After Clifford’s father died, they moved to a farm in Grove City, south of Atlantic, to continue the family farming operation. During this time, she helped on the farm and also did housekeeping, and worked night shift at the Shamrock Restaurant at the Valley. Yvonne also worked at Woolworths and Quicks Ice Cream Store. After Clifford’s death from Hodgkin’s disease in 1973, Yvonne and the children moved to Atlantic. She later married Ernest “Ernie” Wedemeyer and the family moved to Adair. While living in Adair she cooked at the nursing home and the Copper Kettle Restaurant. Yvonne served as an EMT on the Adair Fire Department. Following Ernie’s death in 1988, she moved to Des Moines and began working at Iowa Methodist as a housekeeper and PSA (Patient Support Assisant); retiring in 2004. Yvonne was later united in marriage to Gennaro Nucaro. 

Yvonne never had the opportunity to develop any hobbies; when she wasn’t working her main focus was caring for her children and ill spouses. She looked forward to family gathering at her home for holidays; always cooking enough food for an army. Always thinking of others, she did this so everyone could take home leftovers to enjoy later. Yvonne was a wonderful cook but even better baker; making delicious cinnamon rolls, breads and pies. 

Yvonne is survived by her son, Clifton Johnson of Adair; daughter, Lori (Rich) Rhodes of Pleasant Hill; grandsons, Joe (Kathleen) Grubbs of St. Charles, IA, Joshua Grubbs of Greenfield, IA, Brandon Downing of Pasco, WA, and Terry Johnson of Woodward, IA; great-grandchildren, Evan and Kelsey Grubbs, Bryant and Alexis Grubbs; former husband and best friend of 30 years, Jimmy Nucaro; and many extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Nellie Stillian; husbands, Clifford Johnson and Ernest Wedemeyer; great-grandson, Anthony Theodore Grubbs; brothers, Gene “Slim” Stillian and Albert (Terry) Stillian; and sisters, Donna Dale and Janet (Ken) Polkingharn.

Open visitation with no family present will be on Friday, August 30th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 31st at Roland Funeral Home. Visitation with the family present will be held prior to the service from 9:30 to 11:00 at the funeral home. Casey Pelzer, pastor at the United Methodist Church of Cumberland, Iowa, will be presiding. Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Yvonne’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.