Sun Prairie/Cottage Grove-
Bernard John Yelk, age 86, passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2023 at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was born on April 24, 1937 in Madison to Edwin and Olva (Williams) Yelk. He married Betty Jane Lau on September 1, 1961, at Sacred Hearts Catholic Church in Sun Prairie. Bernard and Betty farmed for many years in the Town of Sun Prairie. He was a member of the National Guard, the Catholic Order of Foresters and Sacred Hearts Church. Bernard enjoyed wood-crafting, traveling, helping his children and grandchildren, snowmobiling and going to their cottage.
He is survived by: his wife Betty; sons; Gregory (Karin) and Douglas (Margot); daughter, Vicki (Howard) Chaussee; grandchildren, Jessica, Jennifer (Sam Schemmel), and Rachel Yelk; Adam, Emily, Matthew, and Claire Chaussee; Kelly (Aaron Vial) and Jacob Yelk; Great-grandchildren, AJ, Delilah, Braxton and Danica. A brother, Vernon (Marilyn) Yelk; a sister, Germaine Turner; and sister-in-law, Dora Yelk.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; brother, Cyril; brother in-law Earl Turner; and daughter in-law Cindy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary Catholic Church, 229 Columbus Street, Sun Prairie, with Father William Vernon presiding. Visitation is from 9–11am at the church. Burial will be at Sun Prairie Memory Gardens. A luncheon will follow at the church Gathering room. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sacred Hearts Endowment Fund.