LaVera Elizabeth Yanke, age 90, died at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at Maplewood Nursing Home with Harv and Edie by her side. She was born February 13, 1922, the daughter of the late Walter and Paula (Martin) Schwanke. She attended Leland school and was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Church, Leland.

She married her school days sweetheart, William Archie Yanke on April 19, 1944. They raised five sons and a daughter, Dennis William Yanke, David Lee (Vickie) Yanke, Harvin Evertt Yanke, William Kevin Yanke, Brian Andrew (Linda Jenkins) Yanke and Edith Janelle Yanke.



LaVera loved being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother to the kids. She was a homemaker and farm wife her entire life and was also a wonderful cook and gardener. She had a big heart, thought everyone was a soul and treated everyone equal. She considered her church friends her best friends and loved quilting with them all the years that she could. The little Leland church was always in her heart.


Survivors include her six children, all of the Leland area; her grandchildren, Jason Yanke, Ranae (Keith) Oxberger, Dena (Ben) Turner, Kelly Yanke, Amy Yanke, Andy (Bri) Yanke, and Adam (Maria) Yanke; great-grandchildren, Sarah, Elizabeth and Charlie Oxberger, Brandt and Jenna Turner, and Marissa Needham; a sister, Era Jaedike of Spring Green; a brother, Webster Schwanke of rural Plain; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson; Craig David Yanke; and a brother, Raymond Schwanke.


Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 20, 2012 at ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH, Leland, with Pastor Erich Hartenberger officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Monday.


Many thanks for the love shown to Mom by all who touched her life.