Gerald “Jerry” Michael Yunke, 69, passed away at The Center at Lincoln on Thursday, September 8, 2016 in Parker, Colorado from Prostate Cancer.

Jerry was born on August 23, 1947 in Marinette, Wisconsin to Otto and Helen (Onischick) Yunke. He and his three brothers, Marv, Bob and Pat Yunke all grew up in Marinette. They enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Jerry graduated from Marinette High School in 1965. While in high school he was a student athlete in track, basketball and football. He lettered all four years in high school. After high school he attended The University of Wisconsin Extension Center in Marinette. There he completed a one year industrial arts program.

In 1967, he joined the Coast Guard and was stationed in Long Beach, California. While in the Coast Guard, he served aboard the CGC Pontchartrain in the South Pacific and Vietnam as an Electronics Technician in 1970. He served four years in the Coast Guard. He then returned home to Wisconsin where he began his long and distinguished career as a telecommunications engineer.

He worked for telecommunication companies that took him from Wisconsin to Washington state (1978-1983) and finally to Colorado (1983-2016). He enjoyed many activities throughout his life. He was an avid dog person. He loved his dogs, Rebel, Cody and Kai. He was a soccer coach and spectator, he loved horses, camping, fishing, motorcycles, wood-working, country dancing and supporting his veterans. He donated a “buddy bench” to his grandson’s and granddaughter’s school in honor of Vietnam Veterans.  He was a generous man with many friends who will deeply miss him. He had a caring and kind soul to go along with a streak of righteous indignation.

 Along the way, he was married and divorced three times. He has two daughters, Krista (Jason) Christen (Dacono, CO) and Alison “Nikki” (Jay) Herzberg (Parker, CO). His grandchildren Brenna and Sydney Christen and Colton Weiss and Delaney Herzberg will miss him beyond words. He supported them in everything they did, both monetarily (all kinds of fundraisers) and by physically going to as many school events, orchestra concerts, special school celebrations, birthday parties, soccer and tee-ball games as possible.

He is survived by his mom, Helen Yunke (Marinette, WI), his brothers Robert (Mary) Yunke (Green Bay, WI) and Patrick (LeAnn) Yunke (Grafton, WI), and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his dad, Otto Yunke and brother, Marvin Yunke.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at 10am sharp at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado. Please arrive at Staging Area A (use the funeral entrance) no earlier than 9:45am. The vehicle procession to the funeral service area will begin promptly at 10am. After the service, please join his family and friends for a time of remembrance and celebration at the Hidden River Clubhouse, 11550 Club Dr, Parker, CO 80138. Food and beverages provided.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to any cancer or veteran’s organizations of your choice.

Loving Son, Brother, Uncle, Dad and Grandpa

 Service Information