Patricia "Pat" (Witte) Young

Mary Patricia “Pat” Innocence Young, age 95, of Cambridge, passed away at the Ridgeway Senior Living in Lexington, NE on April 18, 2023.  She was born in Lawrence, NE on December 28, 1927, to Clement and Elisabeth (Ostdiek) Witte.  The family moved to Cambridge when Pat was three years old.  Pat attended Cambridge schools and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1945.  She was the only child of 11 children of the family to graduate high school.   After graduation, Pat received a Normal Training Certificate to teach school.  Pat taught country school south of Holbrook for several years. 

Pat was united in marriage to Eugene Young on February 12, 1949.  He preceded her in death on November 7, 2021. She worked for Gene Young Machinery and Service as the bookkeeper.  Pat worked at the Butler Memorial Library as a Librarian from 1972 to 2013 before she retired at age 81.  She was a member of the Cambridge American Legion Unit #199 for 65 years, and a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and Alter Society.  She was a very active volunteer and helped with the Tri-Valley hospital thrift store, was an election poll worker for over 20 years, and delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. Pat was an excellent cook. Family favorites were, “icky” lemon pie, peanut butter Angel food cake, cinnamon rolls, and many other baked goods.  She was known for her family meals and organization, not cutting any corners. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clement and Elisabeth; husband, Gene; son, Philip (Deb) Young; grandson, Kraig Young; nine siblings:  Alvin, Gilbert, Wilbur, Irene Kubik, Vera Laughlin, Herb, Edwin, LeRoy, and Arthur. 

Pat is survived by her son, Lynn (Joyce) Young of Eustis; daughter, Lisa (Kurt) Gerken of Elwood; grandchildren: Suzanne (Tony) Neels of Gothenburg, Jessica (Randy) Grindle of Kearney, Brooke (Joe) Lambert of Kearney, Kaitlyn (Michael) Ziola of Lincoln, Shawn Young of Omaha, Bronson (Mary Lou) Gerken of Omaha, Christopher Gerken of Elwood, and Avery Gerken of Elwood; 22 great grandchildren; brother, Jerry Witte of Cambridge, and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cambridge on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 10:30 AM with Father Ken Wehrs as celebrant. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 10:00 AM prior to mass. Visitation will be held at the Lockenour-Jones Mortuary on Thursday, April 27, 2023, from noon until 7:00 PM.  Friends may leave online condolences at lockenour.com.  Memorials may be left in Pat’s name to either the Butler Memorial Library or the Cambridge Volunteer Rescue and Fire Department.  Lockenour-Jones Mortuary is entrusted with arrangements. 

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