Eugene Francis Young passed away on Thursday, April 6th at age 94. He is happy to be wrapped in his loving wife's arms again.
Gene was born on July 26, 1928, in his aunt's home in Lansing, the third of four boys born to Frank and Edith Young. The family lived at 107 North Main Street across from the prison. As a born and raised Lansing resident, Gene was proud to attend Lansing Schools and be a part of the community. Gene was blessed in love as he married the girl down the street, Ada Mondero, on June 3rd, 1950. They raised four children, David (Wanda), Michael (Vickie), Ann (John Hoins), and Thomas (Teresa), in their home of 70 years before moving to Homestead Assisted Living in March 2021. He lost Ada, his side-by-side partner, in August of 2022.
Gene claimed to be a "starter" and his many firsts included joining the new volunteer fire department when he was 18 and being elected to the first Lansing City Commission when Lansing was incorporated in 1959. He petitioned to get the four lane highway through Lansing in the mid 60's, was active with the inception of the Leavenworth County Artists Association, the Lansing Kiwanis Club, the Lansing Pride Committee, the Lansing Tree Board, The Lansing Historical Society, and the Lansing Library. Gene was instrumental with other organizations such as The Salvation Army, the Lansing Booster Club, and the Leavenworth-Lansing Chamber of Commerce. Gene and Ada were extremely active in their church, St. Francis de Sales in Lansing. They served at every capacity and were the Knights of Columbus family of the year both locally as well as Statewide. He received awards for his great volunteerism that are too numerous to mention.
Gene started working at age 16 at All Star Dairy in Kansas City. He retired as Production Manager in 1978 to start another new venture: Young Sign Co. in Leavenworth. The family business included daughter, Ann, son-in-law John Hoins, and several years later, his son Tom. His grandsons Eric, Chris and Jeff were literally born and raised in the business and had great pleasure in being able to spend so much time with Grandpa.
The family is known for their artistic talents and Gene helped develop the skills of his children, grandchildren and many other young people who wanted to develop their talent. He would always take the time to encourage them and give advice. His special character was "the Funny Man" which Gene would draw on napkins at restaurants, any empty chalkboard and on sidewalks. It always brought a smile to anyone who viewed them.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, baby sister Elizabeth, brothers Thomas and Arthur, and his wife of 72 years, Ada.
Gene is survived by his brother Bill, four children, their spouses, 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and many loving nephews, nieces, and cousins. Gene and Ada were affectionately called "Mr. and Mrs. Lansing.”
The Rosary will be said at 4pm on Friday, April 14 at St. Francis de Sales Church in Lansing, followed by Visitation until 8pm. The funeral mass will be said at 10am on Saturday, April 15th, at the church with burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Gene's memorial wish is the addition of a new bridge and the finishing of the sidewalk pathway to join the parking lot at the church to the Gazebo/Grotto to make it handicap accessible. That is what his dear Ada wanted.