Yvonne I. Mehlhaff, 90, of Wishek, ND, died peacefully Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Wishek Living Center. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 10:30 am, Saturday, April 25, 2026, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Wishek. Burial will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 1:00 pm, Monday, April 27, 2026.

Yvonne I. Mehlhaff was born April 25, 1935, at Leola, SD the daughter of Emil and Bertha (Jakober) Voegele. Yvonne was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. She grew up on the family farm and attended rural grade school graduating from 8th grade on May 15, 1948. She married the love of her life Walter H. Mehlhaff Dec 21, 1954, at St. Paul Lutheran church in Leola, SD. They made their home in Wishek, became lifelong members of St. Luke Lutheran church worked together raising their family, leaving only for 3 years from March 1960 to March 1963; to reside in Gackle, ND. Yvonne acquired her nickname (Vonnie) during her working career at Maggie's Cafe where she worked until reaching motherhood. She took a hiatus to be a full time Mother until Mary reached school age. She returned to her work career at Red Owl, and Moser Drug for many years and worked alongside Walter assisting with the family business Mehlhaff Construction. Yvonne belonged to many organizations and was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary serving over 50 years with Fred Kelle Post# 87 in Wishek. She had the ability to develop friendships with people regardless of age, gender or ethnicity and had a vast array of friends both personal and professionally. She served her community well not only as a good citizen but a remarkable Mother, friend and neighbor. Her greatest joy was doting on her family. She enjoyed entertaining friends and family immensely. She also enjoyed camping, traveling, music, dancing at Polka fests, family vacations, attending fairs, community celebrations, the outdoors, yardwork, always looking forward to the visits and fellowship with friends, relatives and acquaintances. Her most important love and passion were her husband, children and granddaughter, always making time to give a helping hand, travel, call or write and make sure her family was in good care. Beautiful sunsets always touched her heart.

She is survived by one son, Craig A. Mehlhaff, Jamestown, ND; one daughter, Mary Laport, Bismarck, ND; granddaughter, Heather Marie LaPort, Bismarck, ND, one sister, Alice Edelman, Bridger, MT; sister-in-law, Joyce Voegele, Watford City, ND, sister-in-law, Esther Ottenbacher, Aberdeen SD; brother-in-law, Arnold (Joanne) Mehlhoff and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, husband, Walter, five brothers Eugene (Deloras), Elmer (Carol), Alfred (Rita), Marvel (Marcella) and Allen; two sisters Malida (John) Binder, and Marcella Horton, brother-in-law Gerald Edelman, brothers-in-law Ervin Mehlhaff, Harold (Shirley) Mehlhoff, Edward (Verna) Mehlhaff, Alvin Ottenbacher, sister-in-law Florence (John) Shock and several nieces and nephews.