A Celebration of Life Service to honor the life and legacy of Edward "Bud" Yonker II, age 65, of rural Windom, will be held Friday, May 1st, at 11:00 AM at the Lutheran Church of Our Saviors in Windom.

A visitation for Bud will be held on Thursday, April 30th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center in Windom. Visitation will continue on Friday at the Lutheran Church of Our Saviors in Windom for one hour prior to the service.

Edward "Bud" Yonker lived a life defined not by words, but by steady work, quiet strength, and deep devotion to the land, cattle and the people he loved.

He was a man of few words, but those who knew him understood the depth behind his quiet nature. Farming and ranching were more than his livelihood; they were his way of life. Through long days and changing seasons, he remained dedicated to his work, finding purpose in caring for the land and the animals entrusted to him.

Edward Gordon Yonker, II, was born on January 10, 1961, to Edward G. and Janice (Nestegard) Yonker, in Lakefield, Minnesota. He was baptized on May 13, 1961 at Our Saviors Lutheran in Jackson, MN and confirmed at American Lutheran Church in Windom, MN. He graduated from Windom High School in 1979 and went on to study at South Dakota State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science, an education that prepared him for his career as a cattle buyer for American Foods Group. Bud was also certified as an AI tech.

Bud was united in marriage to Nicole Sue "Nikki" Crispin on September 17, 1994, and together they built a life rooted in love and shared commitment. Bud and Nikki were blessed with two sons, Austin and Braden, and they raised their family with a strong emphasis on hard work, responsibility, and respect. He led by example, showing his children the importance of putting in a full day's work and doing things the right way. His steady presence and commitment to his family were constants they could always rely on.

On Tuesday, April 21st, Bud passed away at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He will be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, his gentle and reserved nature, and the enduring values he passed on to his family. His life stands as a testament to the strength found in humility and the impact of a life faithfully lived.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 31 years, Nikki Yonker of Windom; sons, Austin (fiancé, Ciera) Yonker and Braden Yonker, both of Windom; two sisters, Maureen (Eric) Herbst of Sweeny, TX, and Marcia (Steve) Dewald of Columbus, NE; father-in-law, Bill Crispin; nephews, Taylor (Rachel) Schmidt family of Columbus, GA, Evan (Liz) Dewald family of Columbus, NE; niece, Kaylee (Beau) Godwin family of Omaha, NE; and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Jan Yonker; sister, Margret Yonker; and mother-in-law, Rose Crispin.

Bud will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his quiet nature, and the values he passed on to his family. He will be missed by those who knew and loved him.