Thomas Gene Yanke

Thomas G. Yanke, 62, of the Delavan, Wisconsin area passed away on September 18th, 2023, at Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford, Illinois.  He is dearly missed by family and friends.

Thomas was born on April 9, 1961, to the late Thomas and Jeanette (Skilling) Yanke in Atwater, California. Thomas was the eldest of 5 children that Thomas and Jeanette would have.  On August 31, 1979, In Aurora, Colorado, Tom was united into marriage to Tina Duran.  

Tom and Tina relocated from Aurora, CO to the Lake Geneva, WI area in 1987 where they continued to raise their family.  He worked as a mechanic and service manager for many years at the Main Standard Station in Lake Geneva until the station closed in the 90s.  He subsequently worked for Lynch Diversified Vehicles building tow trucks until the mid-2000s.  For several years, along with Tina, Tom owned and operated the M.Y. Triangle Tavern and Banquet Hall in Twin Lakes.

Thomas, or Gene, as he was known to friends and family, was a staple in the bowling community within Walworth County for decades.  Tom coached youth bowling at the Lake Geneva Lanes and operated M.Y. Pro Shop at the lanes for several years.  Tom was the driving force behind the formation of the Badger High School Bowling Team and led the team to a State Championship in their inaugural year.  In his free time Tom loved traveling with his wife, fishing with his kids and grandkids, and enjoyed a game of golf from time to time.  He was a lifelong Chicago Bears fan and loved to watch Nascar Races on Sundays even more.  Tom was a devoted husband and a dedicated family man through, and through.  He loved his kids and never missed their sporting and other events throughout the years.  He absolutely adored his grandchildren and would do anything he could to spend time with them.

Tom is survived by his wife of 44 years, Tina.  Four Children: Susan (Justin Bishop) Meinel-Bishop, Melissa (Jason Juedes) Yanke, Brandie (Jon Swangren) Yanke, Stephen (Rebecca) Yanke, along with seven grandchildren: Jasmine, Dayne, David, Brittney, Stacia, Henry, and Patrick all survive.  Two brothers: Tim Yanke, and T.J. (Julie) Yanke: along with two sisters: Cindy (Mike) McChesney and Candace (John May) Yanke also survive Tom.  He is further survived by countless cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

A Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held on Saturday April 6th, 2024, from 1:00pm till 5:00pm at the Lake Geneva Lanes.

To post an online condolence please click the “Share a Memory” box on the left side of your screen.

Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is more than honored to be assisting Tom’s family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas Gene Yanke, please visit our floral store.