Michael B. Young, age 68, of Preston, IA, passed away, in his home with his family by his side on October 25, 2024 after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma. A funeral service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, in Preston, on Thursday, October 31, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held at Law Jones Funeral Home, Wednesday, October 30, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., as well as one hour prior to Thursday’s service, at the church. Burial will follow at Preston Cemetery.
Mike was born May 22, 1956, in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, the son of Robert and Alice (Dice) Young. He attended Preston schools, graduating from Preston High School with the class of 1974. Mike soon began his career with Airco, which became BOC Gasses, and later, Linde. He worked for that company for 38 years, retiring in 2013.
In his twenties, he was blessed with three beautiful daughters, Jennifer, Sherri, & Amy. He embraced the role as their sole parent with unwavering love and devotion. His heart was full as he nurtured, cared for, and spoiled them. He loved to travel with them, and they took many trips to his parents’ lake house in Indiana and to Florida. Then in 1997, in Las Vegas, Mike married the love of his life, Patricia Miller. They would have one son together, Cole, creating a family of six. A few years later, six week old Alexiah Jungen came into their lives. Mike would go on to raise her as a daughter of his own.
Mike and Patti continued his love of traveling together, going as far as Thailand, on one occasion, and spending many more family vacations in Florida. They enjoyed Florida so much, that in the last few years, they would winter there. As the kids grew older, many of their travels involved places such as Mobile, AL, where their daughter played basketball for Spring Hill College, or to Denver to see their son. Always an avid fisherman, Mike also enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada with his dad, brothers, and nephews. The Canada fishing trips soon included Patti and Cole. A very special two-week trip was taken in September 2023 to Destin, FL where the whole family and many friends stayed in a beach house together. Many wonderful memories were made there that will be cherished forever.
Don’t let all the travel fool you, Mike loved his community and never lacked ways of showing us. He and Patti were owners of the Sandbar Restaurant, in Sabula, and Mike always found ways to show his support for local Easton Valley athletics. He loved his Hawkeyes, Cubs, and Bears, but local sports held a special place in his heart. He and Patti served as Parade Marshals one year for EV’s homecoming, and Mike always fed the football team at the restaurant, on Saturdays, after wins. He especially loved cheering on his grandchildren at their sporting events and was a proud Papa to each and every one of them.
Mike had an infectious sense of humor that always brought a smile to those around him. He loved golfing, enjoying a Miller Lite, and telling stories and jokes to family and friends. He had a positive attitude and was always ready with a kind word and a listening ear. Many people sought him out, knowing they could rely on his wise advice and compassionate understanding.
Mike’s big, generous heart and kind spirit will be dearly missed. He is survived by his wife, Patti; children, Jennifer (Trae) Johnson, of Preston, IA, Sherri (Jamis) Farrell, of Preston, IA, Amy (Derrick) Kibler, of Eldridge, IA, Cole (Shila) Young, of Long Grove, IA, and Lexie Jungen of Preston, IA; 11 grandchildren, Liviah, Avah, & Emmah Johnson, Braydin (Cheyeanne), Andin (Adrienne), Hadley, & Jaylee Farrell, Kenna, Jacek, & Gracyn Kibler, and Valen Young; sister, Marylou Arquette; twin brother, Mitch (Carol) Young; sister-in-law, Angie Young; brothers-in-law, Doug (Teresa) Miller and David (Keisha) Miller; and step-mother-in-law, Beverly Miller; and many nieces and nephews, and his dogs, Boots and Chip. Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Alice; father-in-law & mother-in-law, Kennard and Connie Miller; brothers, Mark Young and Kevin Young; and nephew, George Young.
