Samuel D. Yakey

Samuel D. Yakey

May 9, 1960 - March 28, 2023

Samuel D. Yakey, age 62, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Waukesha County.

He was born on May 9, 1960 in Rockford, IL, and was the son of Leonard and Mary (Fleckenstein) Yakey. He moved with his family to Antigo, WI, when he entered high school where he ran cross-country for the Antigo Red Robins, class of 1978. He also helped on his family farm raising veal calves; when he was not at home assisting his family, he was with various farmers in the area bailing hay or milking cows.

He always had a passion for agriculture, and it was of little surprise when he attended and got his B.S. in Agricultural Science from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, class of 1983. He worked for many years for Vigortone doing dairy nutrition and then a few years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the Veterinary School. It was shortly thereafter he decided to go into business for himself, founding Nutrition Product and Services, consulting with farmers across Wisconsin as a dairy nutritionist. He was very regimented and meticulous with his work, going above and beyond for his customers. He rarely missed the Word Dairy Expo in the fall and would travel yearly to the Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference in Dubuque, IA.

While he was in college, he was introduced to his wife, Janice Slowinski and they were married on August 25, 1984, at St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church in Stevens Point. They settled and raised their family in Sun Prairie, WI. Sam was a self-proclaimed do-it-yourselfer building his daughters' swing set from his own plans and other various projects around the house. His daughters and their athletic endeavors gave him such pride; he was at every sporting event, even throughout their collegiate careers. All his family brought him much pride and joy, he loved all four of his grandchildren dearly and knew what each of them needed with their individual personalities.

Throughout his life he was a very devout Catholic, a member of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church since they moved to Sun Prairie in 1988. He was a Lector and Communion Minister for over twenty years. He was a 3rd Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus, Council #4879 and was often seen helping with Fall Fest Ring Toss, pancake breakfasts, and Monday night bingo.

He will be remembered as a caring neighbor and always putting others before himself, frequently using his snow blower to help his neighbors without one. He loved to play little jokes and we will remember his child-like sense of humor. He was an avid Wisconsin sports fan, when it was not on TV, he would listen to it on the radio and infrequently attend the Badger, Packer, and Brewer games.

He is survived by his wife, Jan; two daughters: Samantha (Stephen) Evankovich of Indianapolis, IN, Elizabeth (Karl) Huemmer of Muskego; four grandchildren: Charlotte, Emilia, Gabriel and Andi; three brothers: Paul Yakey, Phil (Marian) Yakey, Joe (Lana) Yakey; three sisters: Anna Rahn, Rosella Spencer, Ruth (Michael) Pomerantz; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church, 227 Columbus Street, Sun Prairie; Father Thomas Kelley will preside. A visitation will be from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023, at Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home, 302 Columbus St. and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be at Sacred Hearts Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sacred Hearts School Endowment Fund.

Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home

Sun Prairie, WI 608-837-5400

www.newcomerfh.com