Richard J. Young

Richard James Young was born on May 16, 1927 in Backus, MN to August and Anna (Schweitzer) Young. Richard attended Akeley Public School. After school he did odd jobs until he was drafted by the U.S. Army to the Korean War in 1950. He was stationed in Alaska where he was a ski instructor. In 1952 Richard was discharged and went to work in McFarrens Garage as a mechanic in Park Rapids, MN. He was united in marriage to Pat at First United Methodist Church in Akeley in February 1954. A year after they were married, they moved to Denver, CO where Richard worked construction. In 1956, they moved back to Akeley to take over the Fordyce Family farm. He resided in Akeley until 1958 and moved to Little Falls where he worked for Archers Feed and Supply. In 1970 he owned and operated Young Construction until 1978 when he was employed by Jensen Builders until his retirement in 1985. The couple moved back to Akeley to their retirement home until 1998 when they returned to Little Falls. Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and playing cards with friends. He really enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandson Braxten. Richard was a former member of the Moose Lodge, Methodist Church in Akeley where he held various offices. He was currently a member of the Little Falls American Legion and First United Church in Little Falls. Richard is survived by his wife Patricia; son Larry Young and wife Billie Jo of Nimrod, MN; daughters Linda Santala and husband Ken of Little Falls, Kathleen Malek and husband Steve of Oregon, WI, and Stacey Zapzalka and husband Brad of Sartell, MN; brothers, Clarence “Bunny” Young and wife Vernal of the Alexandria area, Albert Voshell and wife Lila of Loomis, NE; sisters, Clara “Dolly” Johnson of Brainerd, Vi Young of Oregon, and Carol Edelman and husband Lyle of Akeley, MN; sister-in-law, Betty Young of Connell, WA; 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Walter and Theodore Young, Leonard, Kenneth, and Donald Voshell; sisters Jay Casey, Jen Bengard, and Ollie Schulte. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren Sara Santala, Jeremy Santala, Jake Malek, Nathan Malek, Chet Zapzalka, and Wyatt Zapzalka.

Tributes

Richard J. Young

May 16, 1927 - March 18, 2008