Sheldon Roy Yanke

Sheldon Roy Yanke Sheldon Roy Yanke, of Bellevue, Idaho and Jackpot, Nev., died Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at his Y3 Ranch in Jackpot at the age of 74. He had fought a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer the past six months. Sheldon was born Sept. 15, 1933 in Wausau, Wis., the son of Carl and Margaret (Riech) Yanke. He came to the Boise Valley when he was three years old, with his parents and his brother Ronald, who was one year old at the time. They came in a Model A Ford and $50.00 dollars in Carl Yanke's pocket. His father worked for Lobnitz Machine Shop and later his own business, Yanke Machine Shop. Sheldon went to Garfield Elementary and graduated from Boise High School in 1952. Right out of high school he joined the Army. Returning home, he attended Boise Jr. College and played football under the supervision of Coach Lyle Smith. He started the Y3 Ranch when he was 16 years old. The Y3 stands for Carl Yanke, Sheldon Yanke, and Ronald Yanke. The Y3 brand has been on the State Brand Department for over 57 years. He was still manager of the Y3 Ranch Bellevue, Idaho, Y3 Ranch Jackpot, Nev., and Vice President of Yanke Machine Shop in Boise at the time of his death. Sheldon met his wife of over 52 years, Karen Wahlquist at the Celar in McCall, Idaho on July 4, 1956. They were married three months later, Oct. 13, 1956 in Boise, Idaho. Sheldon enjoyed all sports, fishing, hunting, and "Gambling" in Las Vegas. He also enjoyed restoring antique cars and trucks with his son, Mark. Sheldon is survived by his wife, Karen Yanke; his son, Mark Yanke and his wife Pamela Yanke; and his granddaughter, Abigail Yanke. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Margaret Yanke; his brother, Ronald Yanke; son, Stanley David Yanke; and daughter, Tracy Lynn Yanke. There will be a viewing for Sheldon on Sunday, April 6 from 5-7 p.m. at Summers Funeral Home, 1205 W. Bannock Street, Boise. Funeral services will be Monday, April 7 at 1 p.m. also at the Summers Funeral Home in Boise. Burial will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution in Sheldon's name are suggested to the American Cancer Society, 2676 S. Vista Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705; or your favorite charity.