James M. Young

James was born January 4, 1924, on farm near Galva, the son of Robert H. Young and Mary E. (Bennett) Young. He was the youngest of four children. He graduated from Galva High School in 1942 and then began his farming career with his father. On December 27, 1950 James was united in marriage to Carolyn Volkert in Cherokee, IA. Attendants were long time classmates and friends, Bob and Francis Compton. James and his bride settled on the farm just east of where he grew up. They were blessed with 2 sons and 4 daughters. James raised corn, oats, soybeans, alfalfa, and flax along with cattle and hogs. He added a cow-calf herd as his farming operation grew. In the late 1960’s and early 70’s he also raised seed corn. He enjoyed the fellowship of harvesting the seed corn with friends and neighbors, Ray and Roger Currie and John Franken, as they moved from farm to farm sharing lunches and dinners together in the fields and in the homes of these friends. In 1989 James and Carolyn moved to the house where he was born and remodeled it to serve as a place for the family to gather and a comfortable home for their retirement.

James was a good steward of the land, building miles of terraces and tiling, and served on the Soil Conservation Commission for 30 years. He was a lifelong member of Galva United Methodist Church where he served on various committees. He was very active on the building committees of the church. He was instrumental in restoring the stained glass windows in the sanctuary. He also served on the Galva School Board and the Galva Union Elevator board, and was a long-time member of the IOOF Lodge and recently the Hanover Area Historical Society.

James and Carolyn enjoyed keeping up with the family history as well as travelling to various states including Hawaii and Ireland. In later years they especially enjoyed visiting friends and family.

James could fix or make almost anything on the farm. He was a hard worker and enjoyed helping people. He was proud that all six of his children are farming the family farms.

James is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Carolyn; his six children, Jerry (Jean) Young, Brian (Vic) Young, Susan (Bill) Madsen, Nancy (Doug) Lively, Peggy (Dwight) Shelton, and Mary (Mark) VanderMolen; 16 grandchildren, Michael (Rachel), Emily, Barry, Aric, Leighton, Tiffany (Michael), Chris (Amy), Nicole (Ben), Tyler, Renee, Korene, Nathaniel, Megan, Kyle, Kara (Ryan) and Benji and 11 great grandchildren, Raheem, Hakeem, Cassidy, Mallory, Mick, Morgan, Maddison, Will, Wyatt, Keira, Konnell, and Skylar. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Freida Vohs, Janet Hahn, Barb Volkert, and Wanda and her husband, Paul, Samuelson; one cousin, Ruth Campbell; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mary Young; a brother, Raymond Young and his wife, Birdella; two sisters, Mable Grieme and her husband Erwin, Esther Kessler and her husband Hubert; brothers-in-law Paul Volkert, Alvin Volkert, Loren Hahn, Wilbert Vohs; sister-in-law Erma Volkert; nephews, Craig Volkert, Ron Samuelson, Gary Samuelson, Roger Samuelson and Bob Young; daughter-in-law, Tina Young; and a grandson, Adam Willeford.

1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearances, but the Lord looks on the heart.