Thomas (Tom) Yahnke

Thomas Henry Yahnke peacefully went to heaven from his home in Allen, Texas, the morning of December 10, 2022.

Tom’s story started seventy-nine years ago on September 1, 1943, in Mankato, Minnesota, where he was born the youngest of four children, the only son of Irwin and Evelyn (Mountain) Yahnke. Tom grew up working the family farm with his father, rising early to milk the cows before heading to school, yet still managing to play sports for the Good Thunder Independent School System and serve as altar boy for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

Tom attended Mankato State University and graduated from Swedish Hospital School of Radiology before beginning his medical career working for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. He met his wife, Sonja Kline, in Rochester where they later married on October 16, 1965. After a move to Apple Valley Minnesota, he served as a Volunteer Fireman. Tom and Sonja were blessed with fifty-seven years of marriage, a daughter Tamara, and a son Scott, both of whom reside in Texas.

The Yahnke family came to Dallas in 1987. After his early retirement due to health issues, the family settled in Allen in 1992, where Tom and Sonja became active members of the St. Jude’s Catholic Church. It was there that Tom discovered his love and skill at woodworking as evidenced by numerous projects visible throughout the church. Some of his other projects were making Adirondack chairs for friends and toys for children.

Tom was instrumental in developing the original chapter of the Knights of Columbus at St. Jude’s and starting the Fish Fry’s, Christmas Tree sales, and Barbeque-To-Go. He became a Charter Member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree and was presented with the Donald P. Friend Award in recognition of his Outstanding Contribution and Dedication to St. Jude’s Knights of Columbus 11243, for the Fraternal Year 2012-2013. This year, Tom became an Honorary Member for his contributions throughout the years.

One of Tom’s favorite pastimes was sitting on the front patio with Sonja, extending warm greetings and a kind word to anyone walking by. Tom’s friendly, outgoing personality will be greatly missed by his wife, children, many nieces, nephews, and in-laws, as well as his church and neighborhood communities.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, and his three sisters, JoAnn Knewtson, Patricia McDaniel, and Renae Peters.

The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. for a visitation, Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Allen Family Funeral Options, Plano, Texas. The rosary will be said at 5:00 p.m. for anyone who wishes to participate.

The funeral mass will be held Monday, December 19, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N Greenville Ave., Allen, Texas with Rev. Russ Mower and Rev. Andrew Semler officiating.  If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/ stjudesacraments

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be sent to Sonja Yahnke at 816 Clearlake Drive, Allen, Texas 75002.