Sen. Yeckel, a Republican, serves on the following Senate committees: Education; Elections, Veterans' Affairs and Corrections; Financial and Governmental Organization; Labor and Industrial Relations; Rules, Joint and Resolution; and State Budget Control. She also serves on the Joint Committee on Economic Development Policy and Planning; Joint Committee on Wetlands; the Governor's Advisory Council on Physical Fitness and Health; and the Mississippi River Parkway Commission.

In addition, Sen. Yeckel was elected to the post of Caucus Chairman of the minority party in the upper chamber. She will serve as Caucus Chairman through the session in 2000.

The Senator was educated at the University of Missouri in St. Louis where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. Currently, she is in the MPPA graduate program at UMSL.

Before being elected to the Senate, Sen. Yeckel served three terms on the Lindbergh School District Board of Education. She served as its president, treasurer, secretary (twice) and, most recently, as its vice-president. She also served on the Special School District Governing Council.

Sen. Yeckel worked in the financial institutions industry for 17 years.

Many civic groups benefitted from Sen. Yeckel's involvement. She is a member of the Crestwood Kiwanis Club and is co-founder and board member of the South County Art Council. She serves on the advisory board of the "Christmas In April" organization.

The bulk of Sen. Yeckel's work in the community has been in the area of education serving on several committees and boards. Her committee work includes the Preschool Advisory Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee for Mehlville School District. She was also a PAL coordinator and volunteer for that district. With the Lindbergh School District, she helped found and presided over the Spirit Association. She has also served on the St. Catherine Laboure School Board and is a member of the executive board and legislative committee of Cooperating School Districts. Sen. Yeckel currently serves on the advisory board of the South County YMCA, is a member of the MOSTARS advisory board and the advisory board for A + Schools. She is also active in the Catholic church.

Sen. Yeckel was the recipient of the MCTA School Bell Award in 1979, the Lindbergh Leaders Award in 1989 and was honored by the Phi Alpha Honor Fraternity. In 1999, the University of Missouri-St. Louis presented her with the Presidential Citation for Alumni Service Award. Sen. Yeckel was the recipient of the 2000 Voice of Missouri Business Award presented by the Associated Industries of Missouri.

She has been married for 36 years to Robert A. Yeckel. They have two daughters.