Hello. My name is Gilbert Yerke and Mukwonago has been home my entire life, if fact the Yerkes have been here on Frog Alley since 1869. For the past 45 years my family and I have grown flowers, vegetable and herbs for many of your local gardens.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
A: I guess you could say that I’ve been working in the greenhouse for my whole life. After college I took over running Yerke Frog Alley Greenhouses and in 1987 my wife and I built a new Garden Center on the north side of the Village. After selling it in 2005 we returned to the farm to grow plants. Now “semi-retired” our family still grows herbs and vegetables under the name Yerke Family Farm in the Spring. I always enjoyed growing plants but also meeting the many customers we got to know over the years. I am thankful for my parents who gave me a good start in life.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: Blue Bay and Imperial House. Of course, for coffee, Espresso Love, owned and operated by our son-in-law Dave and our daughter Tracy.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
A: All my life except the five years in college where I lived in Stevens Point and studied in Germany and Poland.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A: I was fortunate to met Dick Schneider, now retired UW Extension Agent, before he moved to Phantom Lake here in Mukwonago. During his extensive career he enthusiastically worked with the greenhouse industry and homeowner horticulture. He was a tremendous friend and mentor throughout my career. He and his wife Jan continue to be active in the community and their church.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: I would love to take my wife to Italy to see where her Grandparents came from.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: Field of Dreams. “Dad. You want a catch?” On TV, NCIS and much to the chagrin of Gail, Hallmark Movies.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: Just try to be nice to others.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: Return to Prince Edward Island where we spent our honeymoon.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
A; The Eagles or Chicago. Walked down the aisle to “Color my World.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: Vollmer Bros. Garage on Frog Alley. Operated by three brothers Bud, Merl and Gordon, they could fix anything, cars and trucks, old or new, farm equipment, lawn and garden equipment, you name it and it was better than the barbershop to get local news.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: This maybe be cheating but I would love to met my Great Grandfather, Albert and ask him why he left Germany and settled here in Mukwonago. I would probably grill a nice rib steak of Schuette Farms beef for him.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
A: Mukwonago’s location and people. Still somewhat rural, a nice lake and the Vernon Marsh, our backyard, Mukwonago is still within a short distance to the Milwaukee metropolitan area. The people are friendly and down to earth.
Q: What have you done to make Mukwonago a better place?
A: I have been active in local government for over 40 years having served at various times as Town Supervisor, Town Chairman, Planning Commissioner and County Board Supervisor and currently a Town Supervisor again. My wife just finished six years on the Town Board. I hope that our actions on these boards and committees have made Mukwonago a better place.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
A: Being able to continue being part of my children and grandchildren lives as I watch them have healthy, productive loving lives.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: I met my wife doing community theater.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A: My wife and I took a drive up the California coast from San Francisco to Seattle. The redwoods of Northern California were beautiful.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
A: The month of May when everything springs back to life. Thanksgiving because it is at a time when farmers can celebrate their harvest with friends and family.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A: Watching a tiny seed germinate, grow and mature into a beautiful plant.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: My wife is my cheerleader.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
A: Baking bread and Lilacs in Spring.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: God, family and community.
