Spencer "Penny" Yahnke, Jr.

Spencer N. “Penny” Yahnke, Jr., 66, of La Crosse, died on Monday, December 22, 2014, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center.

He was born on August 15, 1948, in Petersburg, Va., to Spencer N. and Rose (Furr) Yahnke, Sr. and was raised in Sparta, Wis., by his paternal grandparents.

Spencer was an avid car enthusiast and loved repairing and restoring cars throughout his life. In his later years he enjoyed fishing and collecting model cars. Spencer was also an accomplished artist and poet.

He is survived by his daughters, Melissa (Jon) Duckworth of Trempealeau, Wis., and Kelley (Jon) Hickman of Millville, N.J.; and seven grandchildren, Jacob Erickson, William and Lauren Duckworth, Lillith, Gabriel and Jacen Hill, and Robin Yahnke, who had a very special bond with her grandpa. He is further survived by his “doting sister”, Diane Quackenbush, of Sparta; half-brother, Stuart Yahnke; half-sisters, Cheryl Pitsch and Dawn Engen; many loved nieces and nephews; his special friend and companion, Cherie Theisen and her family; his best friends, Scott Bintzler and Lee Bishop; and his pet cat, “Boots”. He was preceded in death by his parents; his paternal grandparents who raised him, William and Meta Yahnke; a step-daughter, Tracy Gunderson; and a brother-in-law, Chuck.

A gathering for family and friends will begin at 6:00 P.M., Tuesday, December 30th, at Dewey’s Side Street Saloon, 621 St. Paul St., La Crosse. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and can be sent to the funeral home in care of the family of Spencer Yahnke.