Bernard “Ben” Yanko
Bernard “Ben” Yanko, 90, passed away April 15, 2023. Visitation will be Saturday, July 15 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Rib Lake, with a Mass of Christian Burial immediately following visitation. He will be buried in Lakeview Cemetery. Full Military Honors will be accorded. Ben was born in 1933 to Louis and Anna (Pfeiffer) Yanko in Rib Lake. He was number ten of twelve children. His parents emigrated here from Bohemia, and he learned his strong work ethic from them.
He attended Fawn Valley Elementary School and often talked about walking over a mile each way no matter the weather. He graduated from Rib Lake High School class of 1951.
Ben served in the United States Army from January 1954 to October 1955 as a clerk typist. He was stationed in Korea and received the National Defense Service Medal.
He married Adeline Thums on Oct. 19, 1957. She preceded him in death on Sept. 3, 2000.
Ben worked as a machinist at Omark Industries/ Blount in Prentice and retired from there.
He bowled on the men’s bowling league and the mixed couples league with his wife, daughter & sonin- law (the ABCD’s – Adeline, Ben, Cindy & Dan). He also enjoyed snowmobiling and playing baseball in his younger days. In his later years, he enjoyed throwing horse shoes.
Ben loved to have a cup of coffee and something sweet. The meal wasn’t complete if you didn’t have dessert. He loved playing cribbage and bingo, going
1933-2023
to the casino and listening to polka music. He was a good whistler, and could still whistle a little just before he died.
He was an avid deer hunter and especially cherished hunting with his son-in-law, Dan, grandson, Jeremy, granddaughter, Hilary, and grandson-in-law, Andy.
He also enjoyed cheering on (and sometimes, yelling at) the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Ben was a past Commander and Quarter Master for VFW Post 7817 in Westboro. He also served on the board for the Taylor County Commission on Aging.
He is survived by his children, Cindy Ewoldt, Kathy (Barry) Bromberg, and Keith (Jill) Yanko; grandchildren, Heather (Andy) Olson, Jeremy (Emily) Ewoldt, Hilary Ewoldt (Ryan Robley), and Seth Ewoldt; great-grandchildren, Audrey and Ethan Ewoldt, and Abbie Olson. He is also survived by his sister, Beverly Subel; sister-in-law, Louise Thums, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son-in-law, Dan Ewoldt; ten brothers and sisters; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
The family kindly requests no flowers or plants. Memorials may be given to Hospice of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa; the Rib Lake Fire Department or the Rib Lake Ambulance Service in Rib Lake.
Ben made his goal of celebrating his 90th birthday. Thank you to everyone that participated in his birthday card shower. He enjoyed getting all the cards.
Ben’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to Country Gardens Assisted Living in Medford, and Luther Manor Grand Meadows and Hospice of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa for all the wonderful care they gave to Dad. Your kindness and compassion will never be forgotten.
The Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 JFK Road, Dubuque, is entrusted with arrangements.
Paid Obituary 135995
