Jay D. Yakel, 68, of Suring, passed away Oct. 13, 2025.
Jay was born Oct. 31, 1956, to Marion “Chum” and Fern (Strehlow) Yakel in Suring. He attended Suring public schools and graduated from Suring High School in 1974. He excelled in football and track, becoming conference champion and a state qualifier in the 440-yard dash. Despite his grandson’s best efforts, he was not able to beat Jay’s time, a fact that Jay continued to laugh about.
He earned an associate’s degree in auto body repair from Fox Valley Technical College and used that knowledge at Ehlinger’s Garage in Suring and House of Ryan in Green Bay. He would then spend over 30 years at Wisconsin Public Service in equipment maintenance, natural gas service maintenance and installation, and hydroelectric maintenance. He then spent four years as a welder at Marinette Marine before he retired.
Jay was extremely handy and mechanical and could fix or build almost anything. He showed those skills by building a pole building at five of his residences, including the cottage turned home in Mountain. He could often be found tinkering in his garage or working on some project in the house or yard, including planting thousands of baby trees in Porterfield and Mountain.
Jay had several other hobbies, including hunting, fishing, beekeeping, watching the Packers, attending his kids’ sporting events and filtering used vegetable oil into biodiesel. His favorite thing to do was snowmobiling, and he made several snowmobile trips to Yellowstone.
Jay had quite the sense of humor and quick wit; he loved teasing everyone and could always be counted on for a smart remark or practical joke.
Jay is survived by his two children, Heather (Justin) Thomson, of Suring, and John (Brooke) Yakel, of Suamico; his mother, Fern Cramer, of Suring; siblings, Jean (Robert) Greggs, of Oneida, Joan (David) Rickaby, of St. Francis, Bob (Lisa) Yakel, of Suring, Kim Kern, of Crandon, Rusty (Annemarie) Yakel, of Eau Claire; eight grandchildren, Quinn, Riley and Annabelle Thomson, and Sam, Brielle, Hallie, Jonah and Tiffany Yakel; significant other, Rose Heckl; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his father, Chum; his stepfather, John Cramer; nephew, Josh Wech; grandparents, aunts and uncles.
The family would like to thank The Cottages Memory Care, Moments Hospice and Rose for caring for Dad.
Visitation will be held at Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, from 9 a.m. until the funeral at noon with Pastor Andrew Jantz officiating. In honor of Jay, please wear your favorite hat, especially if it has something funny or sassy on it. Casual attire welcome.
