Lloyd E. Yanisch, 93

On Saturday afternoon, June 23, Lloyd Edward Yanisch, 93, suffered a heart attack and died while doing what he enjoyed most - working to maintain and beautify the farm he was born on and lived on practically his entire life. He died while riding his tractor and left the farm "toes up and feet first," as he had always wanted.

Son of Fred and Estella Yanisch, Lloyd was born on Jan. 30, 1919, on the family farm in El Paso Township. He went to the Hines School, graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1936, and later from River Falls Teachers' College in 1940. Lloyd taught school in Clear Lake for 1.5 years before joining the Navy in June 1942. He served at a variety of naval stations and finally worked as part of the Carrier Qualification Training Unit in Quonset, R.I., where he trained pilots to land aboard aircraft carriers. Following discharge from the Navy in June of 1946, he worked in Milwaukee and, in April of 1948, moved back to the family farm which was his home for the rest of his life. Lloyd ran a successful dairy operation with his father until the winter of 1963, when a respiratory condition forced him to give up active farming. Lloyd's most significant position after that time was with the Ellsworth Farmers Union Co-op, where he managed the fertilizer department from 1966-1982.

Lloyd served as El Paso town clerk from 1965-2001, and as a Pierce County board member from 1983-2000. He took special pride in his contributions to local government and will be remembered by the many with whom he collaborated in these roles.

In August 1951, Lloyd met his future wife, Bernadette Lussier, when his sister Monica brought her to an Ellsworth Rod & Gun Club chicken dinner. The two were married on Oct. 16, 1954, in Central Falls, R.I., Bernie's hometown. After almost 25 years of marriage, Bernie died of cancer on March 21, 1979.

Lloyd is survived by his nine children: Celeste Yanisch-Perron (Steve Perron) of St. Paul; Julie (Dale) Hilden of Brooklyn Park; Jim (Vicki) Yanisch of Shoreview; Annette Yanisch (Doug Hayden) of Cinebar, Wash.; Ed Yanisch (Sergio Bessa) of New York, N.Y.; Dan Yanisch (Barb Mader) of University Place, Wash.; Janine Yanisch (Chris Jankowski) of Rochester, Minn.; Carol Yanisch (Milton Papageorgiou) of St. Paul; Kay Yanisch (Martin Dietl) of Minneapolis. Also survived by thirteen grandchildren: Spencer and Sophie Perron; Jay (Kim), Joel and Patrick Hilden; Kirstin and Kristopher Yanisch; Michaeljon and Bernadette Hayden; Tess Yanisch and Blake Mader; Maria Jankowski; and Lussier Dietl; sisters Mary Catharine Yanisch (Oxford, England) and Sr. Frances Yanisch (St. Roses' Convent, Lacrosse); numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

In addition to Bernadette, he was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard; and sisters Grace and Monica.

Funeral services will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth, Wis., at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 28. A visitation will be held at the church from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday evening, with a rosary at 4 p.m. Burial will be in the Lost Creek Cemetery, town of El Paso, Pierce Co., Wis. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ellsworth or the American Cancer Society.

Lloyd will be remembered as a faithful member of the Clayfield and St. Francis parishes, a caring neighbor, a loyal member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion, and a regular patron of many local fish fries.

Lloyd was an extraordinary man who lived an ordinary life.

Go to www.hillfuneralservice.com to send an online condolence to the family. Hill Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Ellsworth is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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