Mary L. Young (1926-2020)

YOUNG

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/22/2020 at 07:45:06

Memorial
Mary Lucille Young, 93, of Cedar Rapids, passed away March 7, 2020.

As of 3/17/20 the public visitation and service have been cancelled.

Born April 3, 1926 to Joseph and Dorothy (Cook) Wagner on their Wapello County, Iowa farm homestead, she was educated during the Great Depression at historic Copperhead School, graduated from Ottumwa Highschool (1944) and began her career in office work during World War II at John Morrell Meats. She proudly attained certification in typing, shorthand and bookkeeping skills and kept detailed records throughout her life.

Marrying TSgt. Gerald (Gerry) K. Young Sept 14, 1946, they moved to Blakesburg Iowa as owner/publishers of the Blakesburg Excelsior newspaper. She excelled at gardening, canning, baking desserts, sewing, quilting and listening to her phonograph collection of symphonies. As a couple and young family, they pursued faith, travel, books, the outdoors, extended family and friendships, frequently planning picnics and cookouts that included many treasured people; her sister and cousins, his 3 sisters and brother, their spouses, sixteen dear nieces and nephews and little ones.

Moving to Cedar Rapids (1966), where they were members of Calvary Baptist Church, she became an avid church and school volunteer, working on behalf of kids in Grant Wood School Reading Circles, PTA, Camp Fire Girls, foster care, MOPS, DVBS and AWANA. A dedicated homemaker, she returned to office work (1975), later retiring as safety clerk from RFK Transportation. In addition to reading, puzzles, plants, entertaining, and later stamp collecting, her life-long collection of cups and saucers grew to over 200 from across the USA and around the world.

Highly industrious, she continued to enjoy her many friends, interests, church, volunteer and social activities after her husband’s passing (2000) and especially time spent with her kids, Melba/Mel and Kevin Cerveny, and Jerry and Dawn Young. She made Methwick Community her home in 2016, where she pursued activities, volunteered for HACAP backpack program and made many special friends.