Ralph Jr. Young

Ralph Jr. Young, 77, of rural Oxford, Iowa, died suddenly from heart complications Friday, May 14, 2010, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa. Celebration of Life services were Monday, May 17, 2010, in St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Cosgrove. Burial was in the St. Vincent’s Cemetery, rural Riverside.
Ralph Young was born June 21, 1932, in Ainsworth, Iowa, the son of Ralph and Luverne Hazen Young. He graduated from Ainsworth High School. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. After his years in the service he lived in the New Jersey area and married Joann Shabalick. They had two daughters, Carolyn Jean and Lisa Ann. He later divorced. Mr. Young worked several years for UPS and Spector Freight in the New York area before moving back to Iowa where he started farming in the Washington/Ainsworth communities. He married Emilie Ruth in 1995 and lived in rural Oxford where he continued farming. Mr. Young enjoyed going to the casino and playing partner slots with his wife, euchre, watching races and football. He enjoyed hearing the stories his grandchildren brought home and helping them work on different projects.
Mr. Young is survived by his wife, Emilie Young, Oxford; three sons, Pat and wife Donna Ruth, Iowa City; Bill and wife Karen Ruth, Williamsburg, Iowa; Joe and wife Tammie Ruth, Chariton, Iowa; five daughters, Mary and husband Rick Wells, Coralville, Iowa; Colleen and husband Richard Rempe, Ft. Madison, Iowa; Gerri and husband Joe Turecek, Iowa City; Judy Ruth and Rob Dailing, Oxford; Darlene Barney, Illinois; 22 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Delbert and Joyce Young, Ainsworth; a sister, Martha Latta, Odessa, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Wilma Dacy; a brother, Art Young; a son, Dick Ruth; and a great-granddaughter, Alyssia Clayton.