Eunice P. Yanke

PRAIRIE DU SAC – Eunice P. Yanke, age 93, passed away on March 25, 2026 at The Pines Assisted Living of Prairie du Sac. She was born on February 24, 1933 in Roxbury to the late Sylvian and Lillian (Nolden) Breunig. She graduated from Sauk City High School in 1952. She was united in marriage to Kenneth Yanke on February 22, 1955 in Prairie du Sac.

She spent many years working in the food service industry, holding positions at Lang’s, The Farm Kitchen, and the Eagle Inn, and also dedicated many years to working for the Sauk Prairie Schools. She lived on the family farm for 71 years and was deeply involved in her community. Her involvement included serving in various church roles, being a 4-H leader, and participating in Sauk County Homemakers, helping with the Sauk County Dairy Breakfast, working with the Sauk County Farm Bureau, serving as the Open Class Superintendent at the Sauk County Fair, and participated in the Sauk Prairie Community Club. She was especially proud to have recently received a community service award from the Community Club.

Eunie also enjoyed playing cards, attending church socials, bowling, and going to parades. Polka music was always a highlight in her life — whether she was dancing, listening, or tapping her foot along to the music. She loved supporting her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at their sporting events and music programs, and she rarely missed a community fundraiser or brat stand.

Above all, Eunice was a wonderful mother and took great pride in caring for her family. She was an excellent cook and was well known for the meals and baked goods she shared with family, friends, and anyone who stopped by. No one ever left her home hungry, and many family traditions and memories were made around her kitchen table along with a deck of cards and some quarters.

She is survived by her four children: Mark (Peg) Yanke of Green Bay, Carla (Sean) Cleary of Verona, Keith (Karen) Yanke of Prairie du Sac, and Steve Yanke of Prairie du Sac; eleven grandchildren: Bradley (Samantha) Yanke, Bryan (Alexis) Yanke, Becky (Ben) Ciske, Brendan Cleary, Sheenagh Cleary, Scott Yanke, Rachel (Aaron) Kaderavek, Ally (Bryce) Packard, Colleen Kuenster, Jay Kuenster, Sabrina (Kole) Carpenter and seventeen great-grandchildren.

She is further survived by sisters, MaryJane Burkholder, Harriett Breunig, and Karen Ballweg; her brother, Wallace (Helen) Breunig; and sisters-in-law, Medora Breunig and Audrey Breunig, Barb Breunig.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers; Merten, Ivan, and Miles; sister, Audrey Zander; brothers-in-law, Tom Ballweg, Ted Zander, Walter Burkholder, Linus Zander, Marvin Breunig; and sister-in-law, Bernice Breunig. She is also preceded in death by Ken’s brother, Jim, and his wife, Carolyn as well as many other family members and friends.

A special thank you to her niece Angie, Kevin and Mary at Agrace, and the caring staff at The Pines. Thank you to the many transportation aides that helped get Eunie to her many community commitments including Betty Waldinger, Ruth Dresser, and Gloria Moles.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 6 from 3-7 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church (100 Oak St., Prairie du Sac). A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, April 7th at 11:00 am at the church with additional visitation an hour before the service.

She is now selling raffle tickets in a loftier territory!