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Archive for: Y

Kathleen L. Young

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Kathleen Louise Young was born on December 8th, 1931 to J.D. and Myrtle (Fallbeck) Young as the oldest of three children. She passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 22, 2022.

Major influences on her childhood and early adult life were her strongly scientific-minded father, her plant and garden loving mother and the companionship with John Neihardt who lived at her parents’ house during the last 10 years of his life. She herself was able to combine the principles of scientific and evidence-based investigations with an unwavering love and deep respect for all things plants and then was able to put her knowledge and teachings to paper rather well.

Starting her own family at a very young age, she married Lloyd Hinkley and had four sons, Gary, David, and Ron, and Kim, adopted from Korea when Gary was only 2 years old. It was surely not easy to keep four growing sons and a husband fed and it was probably at that time that she got very creative about cooking, including using wild game the boys brought home.

She graduated from UNL with a bachelor’s degree in English and Botany and then moved on to do a Master’s degree in Intercultural Studies and Folklore, inspired by Roger Welsch, himself a Folklorist of the funny sort!

What a full professional life she had! She worked at UNL’s Morrill Hall, as a Naturalist in Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue, as a folklorist for the State Historical Society, and, for a short time, as the Assistant Director of the San Bernardino Co Museum in California, before she came back to Lincoln. One of her proudest moments was the publishing of her book “Wild Seasons”, a cookbook using native plants from Nebraska. She enjoyed great respect from her peers in the fields of botany and ethnobotany and often gave presentations and seminars about her favorite subjects of plants and how to use them to adults and children alike. She liberally used her own children and grandchildren as guinea pigs for new recipes – and everybody was happy to oblige.

She was a lifelong loving advocate for all things nature. Her legacy will live on in the many plants she raised and gave away to so many people, and in the knowledge about wild plants that she willingly shared with anybody interested. Her deep respect and cultural understanding of Native Americans, borne from her friendship with Mr. Foolbull, a Lakota medicine man, adds to the many facets that made up her life. Her gentle hand will be greatly missed by many.

She is survived by her four sons Kim (Michelle), Gary (Susanne), David (Judy) and Ron (Toni), and many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

A Celebration of Life of Kay Young will be held on June 11 at the Pioneers Park Nature Center in Lincoln, from 9am to 4pm. It will be a potluck and dishes made using recipes from her book ‘Wild Seasons’ would be very appropriate and appreciated. Drinks and some snacks will be provided.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

Francis Marion Young

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Born March 10, 1936.

Passed away December 15, 2021.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

Twilia Lena Yost

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From Wahoo, Nebraska

Born on February 20, 1942.

Passed away on November 4, 2020.

No service.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

James “Jim” Young Jr.

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James “Jim” Young, Jr. of Lincoln, NE, passed away August 12, 2020 surrounded by his family.  He was born December 10, 1944, in Lincoln, NE.  Preceding Jim in death were his parents Ruth Acton and James Young, his sister Diana Payne and brother-in-law Charles Payne, sisters Grace Mathis and Gail Roach and stepfather Bob Acton.

Jim is survived by his wife Mary of 53+ years and three sons and daughters-in-law Greg and Jodi Baade of Dacono, CO, Troy and Kris Young of Lincoln, NE, and Trent and Jill Young of Lincoln, NE, plus sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Pat and Donnie White of Valparaiso, NE, and Billie and Bob Mertz of Lincoln, NE.  Jim has six grandchildren:  Randi Coonrod, Karli, Haylee, Skylar, Brayden and Carsyn Young and two great-grandchildren Marilyn and Brody Coonrod and their father Kyle Coonrod (honorary grandson).  Jim is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law Andy and Doris Young, North Platte, NE, and Jamie Holston of North Platte, NE, and Ben and Connie Young of Comstock, NE, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jim worked for a short time at Burlington Railroad but left to work construction and concrete work and then headed to Cushman Motors for a few years.  From there he followed in his father-in-law’s footsteps and became an Electrician at Bud’s Electric.  When Bud decided to semi-retire Jim formed J & B Electric with Bud teaching him the ropes of becoming a business owner.  When Bud retired Jim approached Paul Heiman, another “on his own” electrician about forming a partnership and in 1991 they formed Hy Electric.  Jim retired in 2006 because he was ready to spend more time fishing and camping!

Jim loved shooting blue rock and pistols, loading his own ammunition, hunting, fishing, camping and traveling in his motor home.  He especially enjoyed belonging to the Sundowners Camping Club because of the “caravan” trips to South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado and Kansas (just to name a few).  Fishing and camping at Harlan County was very special for Jim and he always considered Alma and “Pappy” VanHoutan as his adopted parents.  He belonged to the Nebraska Walleye Association for a few years.  I remember the time he signed up all the grandkids to the Free Fishing Clinic put on by the Nebraska Walleye Association.  He got such a kick out of seeing them learn how to bait hooks, cast the lines, water safety plus watching the expressions when they were given their free tackle boxes and fishing rods and reels.

Jim loved animals especially dogs.  The first dog we had was a basset hound named Little.  I was pregnant with Troy and she literally drug me around the block on our walks.  Our next dog was a Great Dane named Lady (she was no lady as she dug very deep holes in the back yard of our rental home).  We found her a new home on an acreage where she could dig to her hearts content!  Then we had a Doberman named Caesar of Troy.  Next came a Black Lab named Duke and a Chocolate Lab named Woody.  Our very last dog was a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier named Hobo who I feel was Jim’s favorite.  When we no longer had a dog Jim would often say “I will exercise more if you just get me a dog so I can go on walks”.  As I knew this wouldn’t happen I put my foot down and said NO.  He then very boldly stated that if I passed away first he would have me cremated and spread my ashes at a Dog Park where they could pee on me all the time!  I believe he would have actually done that!

He wasn’t always a patient father and could be very stubborn at times as the boys and his friends will attest to!  He introduced the boys to motorcycles and snowmobiles at such a young age that he freaked me out!!  Very early on he owned 14 motorcycles in one year – he bought them cheap (because they didn’t run) and would repair them and sold them at a pretty good profit.  Quite often he did that with cars too.  He was a very good mechanic and tried to teach the boys everything he knew.  He will always be remembered for his stubbornness, love of family and friends, always helping a friend in need – plus his Friday night card games.

Trent says he will miss Dad’s “safety meetings” in the garage with Dad, Russ and friends.  Jim’s wishes were to be cremated and to have a Celebration of Life Party in his garage.  We will honor his wishes for the garage party in the near future.

The Young Family can’t say THANK YOU enough to Dr. James Fosnaugh (PCP), Dr. Gina Mentzer (Heart Doctor), Kelly Stutzman (LVAD Team) and Ashley (INR Clinic) for their excellent care of Jim.  Their “personal hands-on” approach and support in caring for Jim was sincerely appreciated.

To leave a condolence please use the form below.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.

Margo A. Youker

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March 15, 1938 – October 8, 2018

Margo was born to Irene and Clifford Couturier. She was raised in Traverse City, Michigan. Margo made her way to becoming a Lincolnite and Cornhusker in 1967. As well as a loving mom, she worked as a professional secretary and graduated from the University of Nebraska. She enjoyed working as an instructor at Southeast Community College’s Office Technology Department.

Margo loved her family, arts & crafts, and animals of all kinds including, of course, her cats Missy & Mugsy.

Margo is survived by her sons Craig, Tad, & Chris and daughter-in-law Michelle; sister and brother-in-law Kay & Don Brown; grandchildren Marlee and Rachel; nieces; nephews; best friend John; and many friends, colleagues, and students.

A celebration of life will be held for Margo on Friday the 19th of October, 2018 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at her home at 6717 So. Bermuda Drive in Lincoln.



Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.