Memorial services for Elmer James Young of New Richland, MN, will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at the First Congregational Church in New Richland, MN. Pastor Pamela Jensen will officiate. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Freeborn Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded.
Elmer died Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at the Ecumen Care Center in New Richland. He was 94 years of age.
Elmer was born July 30, 1921 in Freeborn Township on the family farm the son of Jerome and Mabel (Rassmussen) Young. He attended country school and entered the US Army in 1942 serving overseas during WW2. He was seriously wounded in Italy and was awarded the Purple Heart. After his return in 1945 he was united in marriage to Elvira Christiansen on July 30, 1946 in Freeborn MN. Together they farmed the family farm in rural Wells for many years.
Elmer was a member of the First Congregational Church and a member for over 60 years of the American Legion. Elmer loved his pet dogs and traveling around the country to visit relatives. Special times were spent with the family and grandchildren.He is survived by his wife Elvira of New Richland, MN, children Dale (Linda) Young of New Richland, MN, Rosemarie (Merl) Linder of Holmen, WI, Daniel (Diane Bennett) Young of San Antonio, TX, Myrna (Fred) Gommels of Rochester, MN, Dunnell (Rita) Young of Port St. Lucie, FL. Grandchildren include Chad (Felicia) Young, Shanon (Kris) Young, Shawn Young, Michele (Brian) Coady, Melissa Young, Joshua (Emily Pease and children Hannah and William) Gommels, Jared Gommels, Nathan Young and Alicia Young. Great grandchildren include Matthew (Desiree Hoffman) Young, Brandon Young, Jerome Young, Charlotte Young and Jerard Young. There is one great great-granddaughter, Lola Young. Also surviving is one sister, Martha Ignaszewski of Wells, MN, brother-in-law Norbert Groskreutz of Wells, MN, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents Jerome and Mabel Young, son William Earl, great-granddaughter Charlene Young, brother Melvin and Ruby Young, sisters Florence and Herman Johannsen and Arlene Groskreutz and brother-in-law Phillip Ignaszewski.