Yunkman (Karr) , Dianne Evalyn

Ypsilanti, MI

Dianne Evalyn Yunkman, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, sister and auntie, age 83, unexpectedly died peacefully in her sleep on May 24, 2023. She was born on September 6, 1939, in Ionia, Michigan, the eldest child of Sid and Eva Wiseman. After graduating from Ionia High School she went to Western Michigan University to study Speech Pathology under Professor Charles Van Riper who was the master in the field.

She obtained her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Michigan and later received a Master's Degree in Counseling from Eastern Michigan University. She taught as a Special Education teacher and as a 5th grade teacher at Ypsilanti Lincoln Consolidated Schools up until her retirement.

She married Fredric Karr and had four children; Kristyn, Erin, Dave, and Billy. She later married Joseph Yunkman.

She spent her life in the service of her family through all the ups and downs of life's journeys. She was a firm believer in her loving Savior, Jesus Christ. She could often be seen out walking in her neighborhood visiting with neighbors along the way. She was a dedicated member of her Bible Study, always making sure she had done her homework. She was a passionate gardener and when she wasn't planning the next great family meal, she could be found reading. Music was an important part of Dianne's life. She was an accomplished pianist and also played the organ. As a teenager she was the substitute organist in her home church in Ionia. During high school she joined several classmates in a jazz band. Listening to their favorite praise music was an important pastime that she and her husband Joe enjoyed together. We will all miss her greatly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sid and Eva Wiseman. She will be sorely missed by her surviving family: loving husband of 38 years, Joseph Yunkman, children, Kristyn Schuh (husband James, grandchildren, Maggie, David and Johanna), Erin Eva Elizabeth Kennedy (husband Joseph), Dave Karr (grandchildren Lyndsey and Darian, great-grandchildren, Bella and Evelyn) and Bill Karr (grandchildren Jesse and Amber, great-grandchild Laurel). She is also survived by sisters, Marian Wiseman and Joanne Goszczycki, sister-in-law,Jade Yunkman Meyer, and brother-in-law, James Yunkman, numerous nieces, nephews and relatives, as well as many loving and caring friends and neighbors.

A funeral service will be held 11 am Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church. Visitation will begin at 10 am. The family will receive friends at Stark Funeral Professionals in Ypsilanti 4-8 pm Monday, May 29, 2023 and 3-8 pm Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Dianne will be laid to rest at Alban Cemetery in Ypsilanti Township.