Wayne E. Young, 87, lifetime Lexington farmer, died Monday, August 24, 2009, at his home near Lexington. He was born September 20, 1921, at Lexington, Nebraska, the youngest of four children, to Arthur E. and Frances M. (Anderson) Young.
Wayne was a 1940 graduate of Lexington High School and entered the United States Navy during WWII on August 6, 1942, until being honorably discharged on August 26, 1943, as an Aviation Cadet, V-5.
He married Helen Wickwire on June 24, 1945 at Lexington. They were the parents of five children; Roslyn, Phyllis, Timothy, David and Kent. Phyllis and Timothy preceded Wayne in death.
Wayne was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as Deacon, Trustee and on the Memorial Committee. He was a member of the American Legion, past President of the Dawson County Fair Board, the Cosmo Club, Dawson County Historical Society Board of Directors, and was active in 4-H for many, many years. Wayne was also a founding member of the Lexington Plum Creekers. He was a director of the National Sugar Beet Association and President of the Central Nebraska Sugar Beet Growers Association for over 25 years.
Wayne's hobbies varied throughout his life, but he was most fond of his time playing golf and was active in establishing the Overton Golf Club and Lakeside Country Club. In later years his passion was the Dawson County Historical Society.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years: Helen M. Young of Lexington, Nebraska, One daughter: Roslyn K. and her husband Gary Cole of Nashville, Tennessee, Two sons: David E. Young of Chicago, Illinois, Kent A. and his wife Cathy Young of Overton, Nebraska, Son-in-law: James L. Aitken of Lincoln, Nebraska, Grandchildren: Mark Cole and wife Toni, Greg Cole, Lara Brown and husband Eric, Jill Drake and husband Jim; Becky Morlang and husband Jon, Tim Farrell; great-grandchildren, Troy Cole, Alex Brown, Chase, Nathan and Riley Morlang.
Wayne was preceded in death, in addition to his children, by his parents; one brother and sister-in-law, Muarise & Bernie Young; two sisters and brothers-in-law; Melrose & Clayton Ransdell and Vera & Merle McKee.
A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, August 27, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Nebraska with Reverend Caroline Vickery officiating. Private burial will be held prior to the Memorial Service in Greenwood Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be held Wednesday August 26, 2009 from 3-7 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 5-7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Love Chapel in Lexington. Memorials are suggested, in lieu of flowers, to the First Presbyterian Church or the Dawson County Historical Society. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington Is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to: www.reynoldslovefuneralhome.com
