Tara Ann Yates

Tara Ann (Coufal) Yates was born on January 15, 1989, in Seward, Nebraska to Richard and Brenda (Kadavy) Coufal and passed away, surrounded by her family and friends, at the age of 37 years, 3 months and 17 days. Her legal death was on May 2, 2026, at 8:06 p.m.

Tara’s first three years were spent living on a farm near Dwight; the family moved to Dwight in 1992. She was baptized at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Brainard, received First Holy Communion and confession at Assumption Catholic Church in Dwight, Sacrament of Confirmation at Pershing Auditorium in Lincoln, Sacrament of Marriage at Assumption Catholic Church and received the Anointing of the Sick in Lincoln. Tara attended East Butler Public Schools and graduated in 2007. After high school, she attended and graduated from Southeast Community College and went on to Bellevue University where she earned her bachelor’s degree.

On August 9, 2012, she was united in marriage to Kyle Yates and to this union they were blessed with two sons, Harper and Grayson. Harper and Grayson were her world! She loved watching them play soccer, football, basketball, and archery. Tara didn’t miss an event her boys were involved in. On her day off she did fun outings and activities with Harper and Grayson including going to the movies, bowling, and putt-putt golf to spend quality time with them.

Tara was employed at Nelnet as an Analyst where she was looked up to as a leader and friend. She also worked part-time jobs at the YMCA, Amazon, and picked up other odd jobs to support her boys’ interests and activities.

Tara was also an animal lover. There was always a pet in her life. She even took in Harper’s classroom rat a few years ago.

Tara loved, cared, and did whatever it took to involve all family members in her life. Rick, Brenda, Tonia and Trent are truly blessed to have had her in their lives and thank God for giving her to us.

Tara was preceded in death by her grandfather, James R. Kadavy, grandfather, Richard J. Coufal; grandmother, Marcy Coufal; uncle, Eugene Coufal and Bob Potter.

Survivors cherishing her memory include her two sons, Harper and Grayson Yates, Lincoln; father and mother, Richard “Rick” and Brenda Coufal, Dwight; sister and brother-in-law, Tonia (Bradley) Jelinek, Valparaiso; brother, Trent Coufal, Bennington; grandmother, Betty Potter, Dwight; special friend, Jeremy Johnson, Lincoln; nephews, Logan, Wyatt and Hudson Jelinek and Brody and Brecken Coufal; niece, Hayven Coufal; uncles, aunts, cousins and an immense host of friends.