Eugene "Gene" A. Young

     Eugene “Gene” A. Young, age 98, of Cambridge, passed away at the Gothenburg Memorial Hospital on Sunday, November 7, 2021. He was born at his grandparents' home in Beaver City, NE on May 19, 1923, to Albert and Eva (Hill) Young. Gene attended school in Indianola, graduating from Indianola High School in 1943. Gene enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 serving in World War II and was Honorably Discharged in 1946. Gene was in combat in New Guinea and the Philippines as well as the occupation of Japan for six months.

     Gene was united to Patricia “Pat” Witte in Cambridge at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on February 12, 1949.  Gene and Pat celebrated 72 years of marriage. The couple moved to Indianola, where he worked for the telephone company for six years. In 1954 they returned to Cambridge. Gene farmed for a brief time, before he purchased the Allis-Chalmers Implement Dealership. He later expanded his business to include plumbing and electrical business. Gene retired in 2000.

     Gene was a continually active man in the community. He served on the city council and was a past mayor. He served as a Volunteer Fireman for over 45 years. Holding offices of Captain and 25 years as the Fire Chief. Gene was active in the American Legion Post in Indianola and Cambridge. He held several offices and was an active member of the Honor Guard for many funerals. 

     Gene was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and served on the church board. He gave his time and talents to many projects in the church and the fellowship hall for over 40 years. Gene was social, spent many afternoons at coffee with the guys at Gas N Shop. After Gene could not make it to coffee, the fellas would go to the house to continue the fellowship. He enjoyed woodworking and tinkering in his shop. He had a story about each item in his shop and could tell where they came from.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Eva Young; son, Philip Young; grandson, Kraig Young; brother, Warren Young and wives, Helen and Irene; nephews, Terry Young, Tim Grafel, and Scott  Grsfel; sister, Naomi (Don) Kelly; brothers-in-law, Paul Mills, Elmore Grafel.

     Gene is survived by his wife, Pat; son, Lynn (Joyce) Young of Eustis; daughter, Lisa (Kurt) Gerken of Elwood; daughter-in-law, Deb Young of Cambridge; grandchildren:  Suzanne Neels (Tony) of Gothenburg, Jessica Grindle (Randy) of Kearney, Brooke Lambert (Joe) of Kearney, Kaitlyn Ziola (Michael) of Lincoln, Shawn Young of Omaha, Bronson Gerken (Mary Lou) of Omaha, Christopher Gerken of Elwood, Avery Gerken of Elwood; granddaughter-in-law, Amanda Young of Kearney; 21 great grandchildren; two sisters: Elaine Mills of Arlington, VA, Beverly Grafel of Culbertson, NE; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

     Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 12, 2021, at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cambridge with Recitation of the Rosary prior at 10:30 AM with Father Ken Wehr officiating.  Interment will be in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery of Cambridge with Military Honors.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 11, 2021, from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM at the Lockenour-Jones Mortuary. Friends may leave online condolences at lockenourfh.com. Memorials may be left in Gene's name to the family's choice. Lockenour-Jones Mortuary entrusted with arrangements.

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