Yvonne Tiny M. Davis Wachtel went home to be with the Lord on February 6th after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be officiated by Henry Walker and Leland Davis at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home. She was born Yvonne Van Hollebeke in Walla Walla on March 31st 1931. The daughter of Felix and Gladys Van Hollebeke; she was the oldest of eight children and was raised on a dry land wheat farm outside of Pasco, near Kahlotus. She was a remarkable woman; as the oldest child her father put her to work on the farm, where she learned to drive wheat trucks by the age of 10. Her adventurous spirit continued through her adult life where she became one of the first women in southeastern Washington to obtain a pilot's license at age 16 with her father and mother. Tiny later on became a winning racecar driver at the NASCAR sanctioned Tri-City Raceways in the late 60's and early 70's. Tiny graduated from Kahlotus High School in 1949. She attended Yakima Valley Community College playing the trombone, Pepperdine University playing tennis, Willamette University, and Whitworth University where she received her BA in education. This started a 30-year passion for teaching children. She cared deeply for each of her students, remembering the names of each and everyone, even years later. In 1958 Yvonne taught for 2 years in Washtucna and 28 years in Finley School District. She taught high school, junior high, and elementary until health issues forced her into retirement in 1991. In 1953 Yvonne married her first husband, Wesley Davis. This marriage ended sadly a year and a half later when Wesley passed away from cancer. Two years later she was setup on a blind date with a handsome young man fresh from army service in Korea. Almost one year later this young man, Lloyd Wachtel, and Yvonne were married in Spokane, Washington on May 29th 1958. They adopted their first son Gene in 1960 from The Dalles, Oregon at age 3 and their second son Mark in 1962 in Spokane as a newborn. They lived the first 6 years of their marriage in Washtucna, Finley, Walla Walla, and Richland before moving to Kennewick in 1964. Through the next 45 years they lived in the same house, rearing their children plus opening their home and hearts to many people in need. Together they have left a legacy of warmth, love and generosity that will not be forgotten. In 2008, friends and family surrounded them as they celebrated 50 precious years together. Tiny is preceded in death by her father Felix Van Hollebeke and her sister Sharon Purser. Yvonne is survived by her husband Lloyd, sons Gene Carolyn and Mark Chrystal and Dee Engstrom who has been like a son to her, grandchildren James and Heidi, her mother Gladys Van Hollebeke, her sisters Leah Erlenbush, Marge Bongers, and Janet Baker; brothers Larry Van Hollebeke, Jerry Van Hollebeke, Gale Van Hollebeke, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family is also very grateful to Tammi Diaz who provided such loving care for Yvonne during the last weeks of her life. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations can be made to Hospice, Tri Cities Cancer Center, or to Creative Care at the Johnson Home, 1127 Sunset Street, Richland, WA 99352 for the care of Gladys Van Hollebeke. Viewing will be Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 3:00pm until 8:00pm at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home located at 1401 S. Union Street in Kennewick. Funeral Services will be Thursday, February 12th, 1:00pm also at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home.