Kootenai County ID Archives Obituaries.....Young, Eugene "Gene" August 30, 2005 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/id/idfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: K T bluewolf@onemain.com September 25, 2005, 7:57 pm Coeur d'Alene Press - The Daily Bee Gene Young, 79 Eugene (Gene) Young, 79, passed away peacefully in his home on Rathdrum Mountain surrounded by family and friends on Aug. 30, 2005, after a prolonged struggle with his health. Gene is survived by his wife, Shirley (of 53 years), and his children, Dale, Bill, Diane and Brian Young. He joined his oldest son, Norman Young, when he passed to be with the Lord. Gene was born to Esther and Reland Young on July 15, 1926, in Twin Lakes. One of six children (Edwin, Carole-Ball, Norman, John and Richard Young), he and his siblings grew up surrounded by dear family friends, and both parents' families, who homesteaded Upper Twin Lakes and Blanchard. Gene inherited and possessed an optimistic zest for life, an unfailing devotion to family, diligent work ethic, stewardship of the land and wildlife, and a keen sense of discernment; these traits followed him throughout his life. He generously shared his ever-ready smile, wisdom, humor and inner-strength unselfishly with everyone he knew and met, and will be dearly missed. Gene learned many skills and trades working during his school years, as he helped to support his family, while his father and oldest brother were prisoners of war. He was the class president and captain of the basketball team as he graduated from Rathdrum High School in 1945. Gene enlisted in the Army on April 3, 1945, and served in the paratroopers until October 1946. He then began his family trade as a woodsman. He was known to be one of the finest sawyers in the area. Gene met Shirley Luedtke in 1948 and they married in 1952. They raised five children: Norman (deceased); Dale (married to Victoria), Coeur d'Alene; William (Bill), Wayzata, Minn.; Diane, Spokane, and Brian Young (married to Kelly), Kodiak, Alaska. Gene and Shirley have adored their 10 grandchildren: Jessica, Rayanne, Jeramy, Josh, Dylan, Briana, Andy, Ryan, Kyla and Austin, along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Gene and Shirley lived in Post Falls, where they raised their five children. Gene briefly changed careers in logging to spend more time with his family and attend their many sports activities while they were growing up. In 1964, he purchased a vending business and did not miss his children's school events for seven years. Gene yearned to be back in the woods, so he sold the vending business in 1970 and returned to the logging industry. That same year, they moved to a farm on Poleline Road, where they enjoyed the country life as a family. One of Gene's hobbies was raising and racing thoroughbred horses at six tracks in four states. After selling the horses, Gene and Shirley moved to Alaska for a year to spend time with their son's families, fishing, working and hunting. He also loved building roads and developing their property on Rathdrum Mountain, where he and his wife retired in 1995. They have enjoyed the community of families there. His favorite pastime was sharing his trout pond with children and friends. Gene's value of his family is evident in these words written by him in 1995 for a high school reunion: "... If there was a period I could live over, it would be the years that our children were growing up and in school. We have five children and ten grandchildren. It has been great!" Gene gave of himself to his community as well as to his family. He was involved in the Lions Club and helped organize and build the first track at the high school on 11th Street. He served as a road commissioner for Kootenai County from 1974-78. Gene will be remembered as a loving and faithful husband and father. He had an ever-ready smile, sense of humor, big heart and generous spirit, which endeared him to all. He unselfishly extended his love and wisdom to many who were honored to know him. Gene will be greatly missed by his family and extended family of friends. Gene's life will be celebrated at a service at 1 p.m. Oct. 1 at Real Life Ministries Church in Post Falls, Highway 41 and Horsehaven Ave. The family prefers memorial donation to Hospice of North Idaho. The family would like to give special thanks to the physicians who cared for him, the staff at Hospice of North Idaho and to the many friends and family for the care, support and prayers throughout Gene's illness. Please visit www.yatesfuneralhomes.com to make a contribution or comment. Additional Comments: Coeur d'Alene Press - The Daily Bee Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai County, Idaho <> Volunteer submission - No relation to the deceased. 25 September 2005 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/id/kootenai/obits/y/young865gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb