Peter Yanta

Peter D. Yanta, 83 year old resident of Little Falls, MN, died Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, MN A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, January 9, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, MN, with Father Jimmy Joseph officiating. Burial will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. Friends may call from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. at the church on Monday. Peter D. Yanta was born August 3, 1928 in Flensburg, MN to the late Leo M. and Mary (Schoenski) Yanta. He attended School District #38 in Pike Creek Township, Morrison County. Peter farmed with his parents until the age of 23. He enlisted in the United States Army on October 11, 1951 in Minneapolis, MN. He served his country in France for 16 months, until he was honorably discharged on September 19, 1953 at Fort Sheridan, IL. After his military discharge, he returned to Morrison County. Peter (Grumpy) worked odd jobs until 1960. Peter then moved to Milwaukee, WI, where he sold shoes for 14 years. He returned to Morrison County and worked for Von Supply until 1981. He owned and operated the Flensburg grocery store until 1987. He retired in 1987 due to health reasons. In 2004, he moved into St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls, MN where resided until his death.Peter was known as "Grumpy" to all the staff and residents of St. Otto's Care Center. Peter was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, MN. Peter enjoyed traveling, fishing, playing horseshoes, baseball, playing cards, bingo, cribbage and going to the casino. Peter will be remembered as a man who liked to tell jokes and tease and play pranks on his nurses. He loved his dogs "Tiger" and "Tinkerbell". Left to cherish his memory are his siblings, Leo(Pat) Yanta of Burtrum, MN, Paul (Jerry) Yanta of Little Falls, MN; sister-in-law, Kendra Yanta and special friends, Jackie Steckling and Karri Butterfield. Many nieces and nephews also survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Julia Vavra, Dorothy Stodolka, Delores Waldoch, Rosie Rodeski, Lucille Waldoch and Margaret Yanta; brothers, Stanley (Doc) Yanta, Martin Yanta and Jake Yanta. Memorials are preferred to the family of Peter Yanta.