Yvonne Slingerland

Yvonne Slingerland, 95, of Wichita, died September 22, 2026, in her home with family present.

No services are planned at this time. Burial will occur in Larned, KS at a later date.

Yvonne Slingerland, daughter of Harold and Mahala Slingerland, was born February 13, 1931, in Wichita. She grew up in Larned, KS where she attended school through her sophomore year. She graduated from Pawnee Rock, KS high school and went on to Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS.  She earned her BS and MS degrees from Fort Hays State University. During her 40-year teaching career, she was an exceptional physical education teacher and mentor for thousands of students. She taught and coached at the high school level for 13 years and retired (in 1993) after serving as an assistant professor in the HPER department at Wichita State University for 27 years.

She was a true professional and was respected by others in her field of education. As well as teaching her classes and coaching, she was active in a number of professional organizations including The National Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (NAPEHE), Central District NAPEHE, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER), and the Kansas Association for HPER.

Yvonne has been honored numerous times throughout her teaching and coaching career. For her more than 25 years of service to WSU helping students grow, mature and learn, she was inducted into the WSU Bender of Twigs in 1992. She was also honored by Mary Estes with a brick in the Plaza of Heroines at WSU in 1998. At that time, Mary wrote “Yvonne strives for excellence in everything she does. I have never known anyone who is more dedicated to doing their best at all times. This dedication is reflected in the many accomplishments of her life.”

In 2009, Yvonne received a plaque recognized her commitment and dedication as a pioneer in the advancement of women’s athletics at Wichita State University.  In 1967, Yvonne, Natasha Fife and Sue Bair (all faculty in the HPER department at WSU) founded women’s athletics at WSU. In the 1968 inaugural seasons, the women of WSU played competitive volleyball, basketball, softball and field hockey. Yvonne coached the field hockey team. Coaches were not paid to coach, in fact, coaches and students themselves paid for all the basic team necessities such as equipment, uniforms, travel expenses (meals, lodging, transportation, etc.). From this humble beginning, and with Title IX passing in 1971 (legislation mandating institutions of higher education to financially support women’s athletics), women’s athletics at WSU started with a bang.

In retirement, Yvonne spent her time traveling, reading lots of books, working puzzles, having wine on her deck with her numerous friends, hosting many Derby Day parties with Mary Estes, playing bridge and/or hand and foot, and in general just enjoying life.

Yvonne is preceded in death by her parents; her life partner, Mary Estes; her brother, Harold Wayne Slingerland; niece Roberta Klotz and nephew, Allen Slingerland.

She is survived by her sisters, Shirley Berry and Vicki Vickery; nieces, Penny (Roger) McEachern, Tammy (Marty) Correll, and Tonya Vickery; and nephew, Chris Slingerland.

Yvonne’s students, colleagues, friends and family honored her contributions to their lives by endowing a scholarship at WSU in her name upon her retirement in 1993: The F. Yvonne Slingerland Scholarship c/o the WSU Scholarship Education Foundation, 1845 Fairmount St., Campus Box 2, Wichita, KS 67260 or https://foundation.wichita.edu/memorials-honors/. The scholarship is intended to encourage quality young people to enter the professions of health and physical education. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to this scholarship fund.

Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuaries — East Wichita.