Karl W. Young Obituary (1931 - 2010)

Karl W. Young, age 79 of Menomonie, passed away at his home Tuesday, November 2, 2010. He was born April 4, 1931 in Menomonie to Roy D. and Christine M. (Hanson) Young. Karl graduated from Menomonie High School, was active in Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Karl completed a B.S. degree in Poultry Science and a Masters degree in Poultry Genetics from UW-Madison. Karl served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army from 1954 to 1956 and was stationed in Wertheim and Heidelberg, Germany. On June 22nd, 1968 he married Marie K. Stougaard at Central Lutheran Church, Minneapolis. After military service Karl returned to farming with his father. In the early 1960's he built 2 mechanized 25,000 bird chicken egg production barns. In 1966, he put in the first center-pivot irrigation system on the Rusk Prairie. In the 1970's and 80's he changed the farming direction to grow dark red kidney beans as a specialty crop. Karl helped to develop a patented, improved variety of kidney bean. He farmed 1000 acres of dark red kidney beans and 600 acres of field corn, all under irrigation. Karl was an adult leader with Boy Scout Troop 23 for 25 years. He was a life-long member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, served on church council and several committees, sang in choirs for most of his life and served on the First Bank & Trust's Board of Directors. Karl enjoyed his family, traveling the world, birds, gardening, biking, farm equipment and good soil. His life of honesty, integrity and hard work were an example to all who knew him. Karl is survived by his wife Marie, children Steve (Kathy) Young of Winona, MN and Lisa (Yann) Oehl of Seattle, WA, grandchildren Christine, Sam, Frances Young and Esme Oehl, brother Robert (Barbara) Young of Modesto, CA., nieces Robin, Nancy and Susan, in-laws Dan and Dorothy Stougaard, cousins and many friends. Karl was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service will be held Monday, Nov. 8th, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Menomonie with Pastor Roy Harrisville officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, Nov. 7th, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and also 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.