Gary Luther Younge

Gary Luther Younge, age 86, went to be with his Lord on April 28, 2026, at Sheffield Care Center. Gary was born on June 18, 1939, to Margaret (Oelkers) and Luther Younge in rural Sheffield, Iowa and lived in Thornton, Iowa, most of his life. He was a lifetime member of Richland Lutheran Church, Thornton, Iowa, where he was baptized and confirmed. He graduated from Thornton High School in 1957 and attended Bethany Lutheran College upon graduation. As a young man he was employed by the Farmer’s Co-op in Thornton and then began his career in banking at First State Bank in Thornton from where he retired after many years as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board. Gary joined the Iowa National Guard, was commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant and he was Honorably discharged on August 25, 1969. He also served on the Thornton Town Council for many years and was a member of the Thornton Lions. He was on the board of directors of the Iowa Bankers and Insurances Services for many years. He was an avid fisherman spending 32 years on Leech Lake and 13 years at Cass Lake in his summer homes. He was a member of Pleasant Valley Golf Club. In 1965, he was married to Bonnie Poohl in Mason City and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. He is survived by his wife Bonnie, a son, Michael Younge, Thornton, and a daughter, Kimberley Younge, Scottsdale, Ariz. Granddaughter, Chandler Holsapple of Scottsdale, Ariz; great granddaughter Londyn, brother, Ron (Mary) of Mankato, Minn; sisters, Mary (Al) Hansen of Aberdeen, So Dakota and Barbara Younge of Rochester, Minn; sister-in-law, Lona Younge of Hampton, IA; Sharon Ryg of Clear Lake, IA; Delores Poohl of Osage, IA and many nieces and nephews. Gary is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Robert and sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Larry Bayless, and brother-in-law Roger Poohl. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on May 2, 2026, at Richland Lutheran Church, 300 Elm Street in Thornton, Iowa with Rev. Caleb Helman officiating. Visitation will be at Woodley Funeral home in Thornton, from 4-6:00 p.m. on May 1, 2026. The family requests (As per Gary’s wishes) that memorials be given to Younge Scholarship fund at Bethany Lutheran College, 700 Luther Dr. Mankato, Minn. 56001, or Sheffield Care Center. Many thanks to the Shefield Care Center and Mercy Hospice for all the loving care given to Gary. Woodley Funeral Home of Thornton is caring for Gary and his family.

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Gary Luther Younge

June 18, 1939 - April 28, 2026