Willard Yonke was born September 5, 1919 in Sanders Township, Pennington County, MN to William and Louise (Lubitz) Yonke. He grew up and attended country school near St. Hilaire, MN. He served in the US Army during WW II as a radio operator.

On March 9, 1946, Willard was united in marriage to Anna Johnson in Thief River Falls, MN. The couple lived in Holt, MN following their marriage. They moved to St. Paul, MN in 1951 and in 1953, they moved to Lancaster, MN and live there for a time. In 1969, the couple moved to Thief River Falls, MN. Willard worked for Bridgemans for many years as a delivery driver.

Willard enjoyed deer hunting and fishing.

Survivors include two sons, Bill (Joyce), Hallock, MN and Les, Thief River Falls, MN; a daughter, Janice (Arnold) Clow, Lancaster, MN; nine grandchildren, Jeremy Clow, Chance Clow, Vanessa Clow, Angel, Misty, Tina, Colt, William and Samantha Yonke; seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother Leonard (Shirley) Yonke, Thief River Falls, one sister Mavis Gordon, California, special friends Tammy Psotka & David Benson, Thief River Falls, MN.

Willard was preceded in death by wife, Anna on November 26, 1992, his parents, 3 sisters, LaVida, Verona, and Lorraine, one brother Gerald.

Willard Yonke died Wednesday, July 3, 2002 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Fargo, ND at the age of 82 years, 9 months, and 27 days. May his memory be blessed.