Dorthy E. Yahnke

Dorthy Elizabeth (Thill) Yahnke was born July 1st, 1932, to John and Mercy Thill in New Lyme, Wisconsin. As a young child her parents moved the family to Melrose. Where she would attend grade school at the historic Little Red Schoolhouse.

Around the time of graduating as Valedictorian from both Melrose High and Hollerin’ School, she met Harlan Yahnke (1924 - 2023). After a whirlwind romance, only alluded to by the mystery of a red scarf and matching souls, she married and began her commitment to Harlan on September 3, 1952. They would become a symbol of lifelong love and dedication, equal partners of mutual respect, and the epitome of what all unions should strive towards.

Forever collaborators in life, while Harlan worked jobs ranging from welding to ushering drive-in theaters for financial support, Dorthy would take up countless responsibilities to ensure a prosperous home life for the family they were building. They made the most ferocious Euchre team in history, and together maintained a luscious garden that, mixed with her abilities in canning, fed not only their family but the entire neighborhood. Her innate skills as a baker turned her famous Santa Claus sugar cookies into a yuletide tradition for multiple generations.

Once her five children were established and on their educational paths, she would begin an in-home babysitting service, and take on numerous responsibilities in her church as a key member in the Church Ladies Aid and Secretary of Treasury for the Aid Association for Lutherans, putting on memorable Easter breakfasts and handling other duties to her church. All while still finding time to be the world’s #1 Brewers fan.

On April 16, 2025, Dorthy joined Harlan in Heaven peacefully in her sleep in the care and comfort of Caretta Senior Living in Holmen, WI. She is preceded in death, after 71 years of marriage, by her husband Harlan Yahnke, son John Paul Yahnke (infancy), John and Mercy Thill, siblings: Mary Blinston, Nick Thill, Harold Thill, Martha Staffon, Matthew Thill (infancy, twin to Martha), and Barbara Schwier.

She is cherished and remembered by her sons and daughters Bill (Julie) Yahnke, Kathy (Juice) Krajewski, Pat (Richard) Wood, Bob Yahnke, and Deb (Jon) Grenier; her grandchildren Jessica (Brandon) Steine, Justin (Heather) Yahnke, Jason (Katie) Yahnke, Adam (Kristin) Krajewski, Jim (Heather) Krajewski, Sarah Krajewski, Rachel (Travis) Lutteke, Amanda (Colin) Richwine, Mitchell Wood, Matt (Sam) Grenier, Emily (Damien) Grenier; and 25 great-grandchildren.

Her wake will be held on Sunday, April 27th from 2-5 PM at Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 907 Sand Lake Road, Onalaska, WI. The funeral will be held the following day, Monday, April 28th. Visitation will start at 10 AM, and service will begin at 11 AM at St.Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1201 Main Street, with burial followed after.