Kristin Yelinek
January 26, 1962 — September 17, 2025
We are very sad to report that a cherished, long-time member of the McArdle community, Kristin Yelinek, recently passed away. A Celebration of Kristin’s Life will be held from 1:30 to 4:00 pm on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 Co Hwy M, Middleton, WI. Kristin’s complete obituary is available at https://www.cressfuneralservice.com/obituaries/kristin-yelinek.
Below are a few memories from her McArdle colleagues:
Kristin joined the McArdle Laboratory in 1982, shortly after graduating from high school. She retired in 2024 after 42 years of service. She worked in many labs in McArdle including my lab and the laboratories of Professors Henry C. Pitot, Norman Drinkwater, and Janet Mertz over the course of those 4 decades. I wish Dr. Pitot was still with us because Kristin worked the longest in his group, and I know he would have much to say about her. Kristin was a ray of sunshine and brought her infectious smile and friendship to many in the lab. She was always interested in sweets and had a sixth sense for finding them…she knew the administrative staff usually had a stash. They welcomed her friendliness and joy. I thank all those in McArdle who brought Kristin into our lives and made her such an important member of our community. I too will miss her smile and her friendly greetings. — Paul F. Lambert, PhD, Director, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research
Kristin was a joy to be around and made the department a better place for more than four decades. — Norman Drinkwater, PhD, Professor and Chair Emeritus
Kristin was sassy and funny and stubborn, hardworking, easily spooked, generous with compliments — a joy to have in the lab. She liked purple and sparkly things. She was extraordinarily patient, which let her do some tasks better than all others. I will miss her.
— Andrea Bilger, PhD
I joined Dr. Henry Pitot’s lab back in 2000. Kristin had already been part of the lab for several years by then. Before the internet took over, she would stuff envelopes with paper copies of publication requests and get them ready for mailing. Later, she spent a lot of her time manually filling tip boxes from bags of bulk pipette tips, and honestly, it was her favorite part of the job. Every day, she would walk in and ask me if there were any tip boxes that needed filling. When her birthday rolled around, she made sure to start reminding us weeks in advance. Kay Babcock always got her a cake, and we would gather in the breakroom for a little party with everyone in the building who knew Kristin. The moment she saw everyone there to celebrate, her face would light up. Her laugh was so infectious, you couldn’t help but smile. I will miss the sound of her laughter. Above is a picture of us from November 2012. I think it was around the time she started reminding me her January 26th birthday was coming up soon:) — Becky Baus
Kristin was a character (and all good things that come with that). She was happiest when she was able to record her time on PINK time sheets. — Chris Carollo-Zeuner
I interacted with Kristin often at work at McArdle. She was always happy, cheerful, and funny! We will miss her antics around here. — Patty Swan
Kristin was in the dishware washing room when I started in 1989. When we moved to the new building, she worked in the Mertz lab. I think we worked together for 33 years. I remember her well. — Dick Kraus
Kristin liked all things pink and purple, shiny jewelry, music, colorful pens and paper, celebrities, sweets, birthdays, silliness, and fun. She was always friendly, greeting each of us (and often complimenting us) in the office when she arrived at work. When she got to Randy Martinson’s office, she would proudly say “he knows my dad.” I will never forget her. — Bette Sheehan
I have known Kristin since I started originally at McArdle in 1996. She loved to come with us in the breakroom and eat lunch while we watched “Days of Our Lives” each day. She often brought her “writing” with her. Oh, how she loved to write she would tell me! She always greeted me with “My Favorite Cheri” when I would say hello to her in the halls, and it brightened my day every single time. Her smile was so precious, and I pray that the fond memories of each person who met her may comfort her family. Her spirit lives on in us all, and she certainly had a positive impact on every person with whom she crossed paths. Rest in peace Kristin. — Cheri Pasch
I always looked forward to Kristin coming to the lab on Thursday afternoons. She was a ray of sunshine, always complimentary to everyone she met no matter if you were an undergraduate or a professor. She was an artist with sweet tooth, and it was a joy to supply her with pens, stationery, and Reese’s peanut butter cups. She was also very fast at stuffing tips! My sincerest condolences and prayers to her family and friends.— Blue-Leaf Cordes
