Dean Yohnke

With sad hearts, Dean’s family shares the news of his passing on Tuesday evening, December 1, 2020 at the age of 86 years.  He died peacefully in the Carlos, MN farm home he so loved, with his family in his heart and close by his side.

Dean George Yohnke was born on November 16, 1934 in Carlos, MN to George and Charlotte (Rediehs) Yohnke.  He grew up with a brother and a sister on the family farm and graduated from Central High School in Alexandria in 1952.  He served his country for two years in the U S Army before returning home to farm.  He married his sweetheart, Eleanor Schuneman on June 4, 1960 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Carlos. Dean and Eleanor took over the Yohnke family farm and devoted their life to continuing and contributing to another generation of successful dairy farming.  Dean was proud of his herd of Holsteins and enjoyed working the land each season.  He was a strong promoter of dairy farming and was not only a member of the Miltona Co-op but also served ten years on the Douglas County Fair Board.  As an example of his steadfast dedication, for sixty years Dean served as a member and treasurer of the Carlos Township Board.  Such faithfulness was evident in his spiritual life as well, belonging for years to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Carlos, holding multiple church offices and singing in the choir.  Serving God, his family and country were the values on which Dean based his life.

In his free time Dean enjoyed gardening (which meant sharing his bountiful produce with neighbors and friends,) woodworking projects, hunting, fishing and card parties.  He especially looked forward to time with his grandchildren and their frequent family fish-frys.  Attending his grandkids ball games was a priority as he thoroughly enjoyed watching them play.  He was humble, kind and a true gentleman who made everyone he met feel special.  Dean was never one to complain and always put other people’s needs before his own.  He was a beautiful example of Christ’s love to all those who were fortunate to know him.

Dean leaves behind the family he so cherished, his beloved wife of 60 years, Eleanor Yohnke of Carlos; three children and their spouses, Nancy & Lonny Collins of Osakis, Charles ‘Chuck’ & Sandy Yohnke of Carlos, Ronald ‘Fred’ & Donna Yohnke of Carlos; 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; his sister, Janice & Luther Myhr of Farwell, MN; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Yohnke of St. Louis Park; many nieces and nephews.

Ready to greet him in Heaven are his parents, George and Charlotte, and his brother, Donald Yohnke.

Funeral services for Dean will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Carlos with Rev. Mark Schwarz officiating.  Guests are invited to the service in the church.  Once COVID capacity is reached,  guests can listen from the church parking area by tuning to FM 88.1 radio to partake in the service.  Interment is at the Trinity Cemetery in Carlos, MN with honorary bearers being the past and present members of the Carlos Township Board.  Active casket bearers are his grandchildren, Tim and Cory Collins, Heather Frisell, Grant, Travis, Preston and Spencer Yohnke, Jeff Wagner, Tracy Clark and Kim Mora.  Military honors will be provided by the MN Honor Guard, American Legion Post #87 and Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #936.

A public visitation will be held on Saturday evening at the Trinity Church from 4:30 – 8 pm, observing social distancing and face coverings.

Dean’s service will also be recorded and posted on his obituary page at www.royhetland.com.

Arrangements by Roy-Hetland Funeral Home, Osakis, MN