Obituaries
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, October 10, 2005
Martha Wickstrom, La-Z-Boy retailer
Springfield, Mo. — Martha Wickstrom, a La-Z-Boy retailer here and the wife of retired Leggett & Platt executive Wayne Wickstrom, has died after a nine-month battle with lung cancer. She was 65.
She was president of retailer WIC Furniture, which operates a La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries store here, for 12 years.
She worked in the company with her daughter Cindy Yates, who is now running the business. WIC also had operated another store in Joplin, Mo., before closing it last year.
For years, Martha Wickstrom also accompanied her husband to furniture markets and assisted with social events connected with his company and his work as a member and officer of the American Furniture Manufacturers Assn. and its Suppliers Division. Wayne Wickstrom retired in 1999 after 27 years at Leggett & Platt.
Mrs. Wickstrom's survivors include her husband, two daughters, a brother, two sisters, her mother and seven grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the McCune Brooks Building Project in care of Ulmer Funeral Home, 128 S. Garrison, Carthage, Mo. 64386.
Morton H. Yulman, bedding entrepreneur
Albany, N.Y. — Morton H. "Mike" Yulman, a longtime bedding entrepreneur and philanthropist, has died. He was 91.
In his memory, his son, Richard Yulman, a top Serta executive and board member, has pledged $1 million to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort through the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
The Lewis family, friends of the Yulmans, matched the gift with another $1 million. Both families are challenging the Miami community to pledge another $2 million in aid.
A prominent and influential bedding business figure for more than 60 years, Mike Yulman owned and ran the Sealy licensees in Albany, N.Y., and St. Paul, Minn. He served as board chairman of both organizations and sat on the board and the executive committee of Sealy from 1945 to 1987. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Suszette McKay
Oak Brook, Ill. — Suszette McKay, wife of Comfort Solutions by King Koil President Larry McKay, has died. She was 59.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Sept. 29 at Christ Church of Oak Brook at 31st Street and York Road, followed by a celebration of life luncheon at Oak Brook Hills Resort at 3500 Midwest Road.
The family requests that memorials be made to the American Lung Assn., online at www.lungusa.org or by mail to The American Lung Assn., 61 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10006.
