Milissa LynAnn "Missy" Salazar, 51, died December 25, 2025, at Salina Regional Health Center. She was born February 7, 1974, in Omaha, NE, to William "Alan" and Colleen Catherine (Gaughan) Yowell.
Missy attended Bryan High School in Omaha, NE graduating in 1992. She went on to attend Sterling College, where she graduated in 1997. She dedicated over 25 years of her life to education as a special education teacher at Fairfield High School, where she made a lasting impact on her students and colleagues. She attended St. Paul's Catholic Church, Lyons, and Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson. Missy enjoyed walking her dogs, hiking, and reading in her free time. To know Missy was to love her. She was known for her big and caring heart and the love she had for her family.
Missy was truly a woman who gave more than she received, and she will be sorely missed. Her legacy of devotion and kindness and giving of self will not be soon forgotten. She deeply loved her family and students. Above all, she loved her three sons, who were the center of her life.
Missy is survived by: her sons, Cody (Sasha) Salazar, Josh (Nicole) Salazar, Noah (Akyra) Salazar; a grandson on the way; ex-husband, Luis Salazar; sisters, Rebecca (Mitch) Holste of Messina, IA, Christina (Mike) Brown of Papillion, NE; brother, David Yowell of Olathe, KS; special friends, Jennifer Surface, Valorie Garcia and Rikki Schleimer; dogs, Maverick, Zailee, and Nala; cats, Pepper and Shadow; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, and her students at Fairfield High School.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; dog, Ringo; and cat, Xena.
Parish Rosary will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Church of the Holy Cross, 2631 Independence Road, Hutchinson. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the church. Private family burial will follow in Sterling Community Cemetery, Sterling. Friends may sign her book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting Monday, January 5 until the day of the service.