Erika Barbara (Schauss) Yonkers, 81, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away peacefully at home with her family on August 21, 2025, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. She was born May 30, 1944, in Germany, where she grew up surrounded by her six sisters and two brothers.

In her youth, Erika trained as an au pair and later met the love of her life, Jack Jerome Yonkers. They were married in Germany in 1961 and soon moved to the United States, where they built a family and a life centered on love, faith, and hospitality. Together, they raised six children—three daughters, JoAnn (Greene) Yonkers, Charlene Yonkers (preceded in death), and Barbara Yonkers; and three sons with their wives, Aaron (Tasha) Yonkers, Jonathan (Christy) Yonkers, and Joseph (Heather) Yonkers.

Erika dedicated her life to serving Jehovah as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, being baptized on March 19, 1972. She was a faithful Christian for more than five decades, and she had a tremendous impact on the community and congregation. Friends and neighbors alike knew her as a woman of deep faith, warmth, and genuine kindness. She never hesitated to share her hope for the future and her love of the Bible with others, inspiring countless ones to draw closer to Jehovah.

She was also famous for her cooking, especially her authentic German meals. Her sauerkraut and sausage, tender pork with dumplings and incredible cucumber salad, and her signature mushroom gravy—so delicious it was joked you could drink it out of a cup, were treasured by family and friends alike. Her home was a gathering place filled with delicious meals, laughter, and love. She truly was the heart and matriarch of her family.

Erika will be dearly missed by her children and their families, including many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by:

• JoAnn’s sons, Joel Greene and his children, Colten and Mckinley; and Kyle Greene and his son, Sebastian.

• Charleen’s son, Aleksandr Emel, and his daughter, Anastasia.

• Barbara’s daughter, Jazmin and her husband Arthur, and their son, Israel.

• Aaron and Tasha’s children, Kaiden and Sophia.

• Jonathan and Christy’s daughters, Shaylea and Jaycee.

• Joseph and Heather’s children, Brendin and Baylonna Bivens.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack in 2005, her daughter Charleen, her parents, and several siblings.

Erika will be remembered as a devoted servant of Jehovah, a loving wife and mother, a caring grandmother, and a true friend. Her legacy of faith, kindness, and generosity will continue to live on in the lives of all who knew and loved her.

Her memorial will be held at the 

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses

2609 Bott Avenue

Colorado Springs, CO 80904

9/13/2025 at 3 PM