Gene Franklin Youmans (2018)

ARMSTRONG, BROOKS, FRANK, HALL, JOHNSON, KAYDENCE, LARSON, MENDOZA, SMITH, TALAMANTEZ, WALTON, WEDEMEIER, YOUMANS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:04:36

Kale Funeral Home
Truro, Iowa

Gene Franklin Youmans, son of Edith Gertrude (Frank) and Ernest Clyde Youmans, was born August 12, 1924, on a farm near Peru, IA, and passed this life Friday, November 30, 2018, at age 94 in Bacliff, TX. Growing up, he walked over two miles to Sunday school in Peru and attended elementary school at Ebenezer. He graduated from Truro High School, Class of 1943.

During WWII, he served in the U.S. Army Battery Command in Panama, Aug. 14, 1945 to Dec. 5, 1946 as an Anti-Aircraft Automatic Artillery Crewman, receiving an Honorable Discharge as a PFC, with citations for American Theater Ribbon, Marksmanship, Victory Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon. He was known as “Yogi” to his buddies.

He earned an Electricity/Electronics Certificate in 1948 from Commercial Trades Institute of Chicago, IL, and worked for REA bringing electric service into rural areas.

Gene was united in marriage to Paulina Mae Smith on May 8, 1949, at the Christian Church in Truro, IA. One of his fondest memories was dancing to “Ghost Riders in the Sky” at the Argon Ballroom in Chicago on their honeymoon.

While living in Des Moines, Gene and Paulina assisted in founding the Wakonda Christian Church, where Gene served as Deacon and Sunday school teacher. He earned a Junior Accountant Degree from AIB College and worked as a Field Engineer/Electric Inspector for Iowa Power and Light Co. In 1947, he purchased a farm south of Truro.

He served as a Sunday school superintendent at Truro Methodist Church and later a Deacon at the Truro UCC Christian Church. He was a member and former president of the Lions Club and a 4-H leader. In addition to farming, he worked as an HVAC engineer at Drake University. After retiring he resided in St. Charles, IA, until moving to Bacliff, TX with his daughters.

Gene was a dedicated father who always ensured he provided for his family. His hands were never idle. He worked a full-time job and was involved in the church, in addition to farming. After retiring from his “day job”, he continued to farm until his health required that he retire from that also. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting & fishing, farming, working with animals, playing cards- particularly cribbage, and dancing.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife on Sept. 25, 2007, his parents and four sisters: twin Geraldine Faye Johnson of Bentonville, AK, Thelma Armstrong of Truro, Dorothy Brooks of St. Charles, and Colleen Hall of Des Moines.

He is survived by his 5 children: Vincent Youmans of Fargo, ND; Greg Youmans (wife Patty) of Montrose, MN; Paul Youmans of Truro, IA; Sharon Walton of League City, TX; and Janella Youmans of Bacliff, TX; 11 grandchildren: Emory and Trish Youmans; Antone Smith, Isaac and Amber Walton; Jonathan and Joshua Wedemeier; Kenneth, Kaydence, Natalie and Nathan Talamantez; 11 great grandchildren: BreAnna and AdriAnna Mendoza; Kenneth Walton, Isaac Jr., Amiayah and Zariah Walton; Emorie Ava and Ryker Smith; Trista Youmans; Isiac and Breanna Larson; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family will be establishing a local scholarship in Gene’s name and memorial contributions may be directed to:

I-35 Future Farmers of America
Interstate 35 High School
405 E. North St., P.O. Box 79
Truro, IA 50257

Link to Gravestone Photo
 

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