Yunkers, Lee

Lee Edward Yunkers, better known as Captain LeRoy, made his final voyage on Saturday, January 14 from the comfort of his home. Lee was born in Maywood, Illinois on December 2, 1942 to Virginia (Grupe) and Edward Yunkers; Virginia was remarried to James Dwyer in 1948. He was raised in Park Forest, Illinois.

He lost his sight at age 13 but never let this keep him from achieving great things. He attended The School for the Blind in Jacksonville, then Illinois College, University of Illinois, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater with a Bachelor's and then Master's in Education. As Kaukauna's first blind teacher, Lee was a creative and energetic teacher for 29 years. He was famous for bringing stories like "Huck Finn" to life to his students and for his creative techniques in classroom management. Lee enjoyed fishing, traveling to Jamaica, playing piano, and was a talented woodworker.

He is survived by four siblings, Denise (Gary) Gehrt, Tom Dwyer, Michelle (Frank) Ingerly, and James Dwyer (Tonia), two sons Jeff Yunkers (and Christy Fuss) and Ryan (Molly) Yunkers, daughters Natalee Cruse (and Brian Matsuura), Belle (Tony) Pleva and many grandchildren. Lee was preceded in death by his parents and sister Lynda.

A celebration of Lee's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 124 10th St. Kaukauna, with Rev. Levi Willms officiating. A time of visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wichmannfargo.com.

"I was blind, but now I see"

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Published by Appleton Post-Crescent on Jan. 16, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Lee Yunkers

Sponsored by Wichmann Funeral Home - Fargo.

24 Entries

Joseph Driessen

October 15, 2017

Lee was a very special teacher and a very special person. I was privileged to have him as my teacher in 1973. He will be missed.

Paul Bellerjeau

June 1, 2017

Lee and I were roommates freshmen year at Illinois College. Ive lost track of Lee these past years. I am so sorry to hear he passed away. He took me home to Chicago for Thanksgiving that first year. We hitchhiked through Chicago, at night in the freezing cold, a journey I will never forget. I think I learned more from Lee that first year then I did from my courses. He was an amazing human being full of life and love. My condolences to his family, folks Ive never met, but so fortunate to have spent time with someone who was so special.

Bill Ludvigsen

January 21, 2017

To Mr. Yunkers family; I to was one of his students that learned of his many talents as a teacher. It was his first year teaching, he had a way to get the class to do the homework or whatever he wanted done. It's also true everything that was said he could do even though he was blind. I to thought about how he was doing as life goes on, I now know, it was as good as I thought it would be. RIP Mr. Yunkers my friend and teacher......

Charles Bongers

January 21, 2017

As a former member of the KASD community as the Building and Grounds Director it was always my pleasure to run into Lee around the hallowed halls of KHS. He was a very nice person and always had kind, and rather humorous, words for me. I've thought of him many times over the years and it is indeed sad to read that he has passed. He'll be missed!

Michael O'Connor

January 20, 2017

Dear Ryan, Molly, and Family,

We were so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. We are sure that he was proud of you, Ryan, as a son. Please know that we are thinking about you in this difficult time.

Yours,
Michael and Maureen

Michael Amerson

January 19, 2017

I am so sorry for your loss. Lee was a very special man, with extremely special talent. I am one of the many students he touched with his love. I know many of us were given the knowledge that with any "disability", came so many more opportunities. Thank you for sharing him with so many of us! Prayers for you, your family, and all who he touched...

Lowanda

January 19, 2017

I'm sorry for your loss.. But know the God of all comfort will help you endure this sad time.

Kathy Heller

January 19, 2017

Mr. Yunkers was my English teacher that was truly not only an amazingly great teacher but an influential person I will never forget. He was funny, made the subject matter extremely interesting-- I loved going to his class. He was smart, knew how to manage his classes and motivated me so much. He instilled the love of writing and reading in me. He did it with his gentle infectious smile and comical sense of humor. It made me want to do my homework with intensity. I love to journal/write myself because of him. He instilled that love he had for his subject in many students--like me! He was an amazing man who touched the lives of many of my classmates as well as we also thought he was the best teacher ever! His blindness never seemed to be a hinderance even when we tried to "come into the room" quietly and not squeek the wooden floor boards. He knew exactly who had come in a few minutes late. He never made a scene of putting any student down but used his sense of humor to prove some point or another from an author ---that it is good to be punctual. He was an awesome man. Thank you for being a great teacher. I know how influencial he was in my life because I became a teacher too! Be at peace, Mr. Yunkers! You're were the best!

Jason Kemp-Stevens

January 18, 2017

Natalie and Family,
Thoughts and prayers to you all on the lose of your father! He was a great teacher and leader to the KHS community. Truly a gem in the eyes of everyone who passed through the doors of KHS and into his classroom.

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Warren Fremling

January 18, 2017

Lee and I were crazy together in college. My girlfriend and now wife of 47 years spent many hours with he and his first wife at their home on Whitewater Lake and later in Whitewater. He even took me for a motor scooter ride on Liz's Vespa. I helped him put in a "doorbell" - a bell and mounting acquired from an abandoned church.

Thanks to him I read Chaucer and Beowolf in middle English!! He liked to have me read to him. In truth, I enjoyed the activity and it made me an "accidental student" of English literature.

And such humor!!! Cynthia's and my life were greatly enriched by our friendship. RIP old and dear friend. Thank you! Sincerely, Dr. Warren Fremling

Bernie Hupperts

January 18, 2017

Ohhh, Kathie Marsh, I hope you're right and there is a special place in heaven for English teachers! Julian Bichler, Walt Schmidt and I were on the hiring team when we interviewed and offered Lee a position at Kaukauna High School. He put us at ease, not vice versa. And he continued doing so with his students. Huck Finn was special, yes! But I should add just Lee's empathy with the students in his class, his ability to accept humor and give it, and his dedication to teaching students to develop their talents and climb over their disappointments or hardships. Lee was an outspoken member of a vibrant English department and responsive to us all. When I heard stories of fishing, driving, just enjoying the challenges of life, he always astounded me.

Sandy Verbockel (Schaubroeck)

January 18, 2017

He was an AWESOME English teacher! He will truly be missed. He was definitely one of the best. I still don't know how he could tell if someone was spying on someone's paper but he did. Even moving your eyes and not your body you would be caught. Though I never tried, he always busted those that did. Rest in peace!

Kathie Marsh

January 17, 2017

I remember when Lee joined our staff at KHS. He was amazing. He used to say hello to me as I walked down the hallway. I once asked how he knew who it was. He said. "Easy: by the sound of your high heels clicking and your perfume." Since there is a special place in heaven for high school English teachers, I'll look you up when I get there, Lee. RIP.

Butch & Donna Lom

January 17, 2017

Our deepest heartfelt sympathy to all of Lee's family and his many, many friends. Lee was such an upbeat optimistic person who had an infectious smile and a great sense of humor. He once rode up in a lift truck bucket and commented on what an awesome sight it was up so high!! He never let his sight blind him of all the good in life. To all the very special people in his life who celebrated birthdays, cookouts, holidays etc with him, who took him shopping, and to doctor appointments, and so much much more, he was lucky to have you in his life and you are all blessed to have had him in yours. God sees all. Rest in eternal peace Lee, and God bless and comfort your family and friends. Amen.

Carol Buss

January 16, 2017

My deepest sympathies in the passing of your dad, grandpa, brother, friend

Steve Kelly

January 16, 2017

My heart goes out to Lee's family and all his friends. To me and many others, Lee was a model, a mentor, a coach, a colleague, an inspiration and a dear friend. He had a special "Vision", and managed life's challenges and tribulations with grace and a sense of humor. He will be missed.

Mark Coffey

January 16, 2017

Condolences Too Lees Family and Friends. He was a remarkable person and great teach. RIP

Kim Vanden Langenberg Tauscher

January 16, 2017

I am an alumni of KHS-Class of 1983 & Mr. Yunkers was my English teacher. He was one of the best. I admired the way he could handle a class, better then most sighted teachers. He will be greatly missed as an educator. My condolences,

January 16, 2017

My sister told me of the passing of our former English teacher. Lee was an excellent educator and a very cool person. As a deaf student, I was inspired by him and have thought about him over the years. God bless you, Mr. Yunkers. :)

Tracy Schommer Wydeven

January 16, 2017

So sorry to hear about Mr. Yunkers passing. He was an inspiring teacher and an educator you knew you could count on. Rest in Peace. Say hi to my mom for me!

Dave Verhagen

January 16, 2017

Oh dear.... Lee inspired me and so many others. And he made me laugh, too. Not just because he was funny, but because he was outrageous; calling me for advice while on the roof of his house trying to find and replace a burnt-out holiday light bulb. Or any one of dozens of things most mortal men wouldn't ever have the courage to even try.

Liz Smith

January 15, 2017

To my sons Jeff and Ryan Yunkers, and to their sisters Natalee and Belle: Despite the problems and differences your dad and I had many years ago when we were married and then divorced, I have always had admiration for him and what he was able to do without sight. I have many fun memories of our days together back in the 60's. I'm very sorry for the pain his death is causing you but I know you are grateful that his battle is over and that he is at peace. I like to think that he can see again and breathe well. He will always be remembered by all those students whose lives he touched, by his many friends, and of course by his family.

Melissa

January 15, 2017

Thinking of you during the days ahead. His great smile will be missed by many.

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