Gordon Erkel Young

Gordon Erkel Young was born on a farm at Bertha, Minnesota, November 27, 1919, the third of four children of Irvin F. and Emma Erkel Young. At the age of 13, his family moved to LeCenter, Minnesota, where he graduated from McKinley High School with the Class of 1937. After working for several years at Gamble?s Hardware, Gordon enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1941. During World War II he served in the European Theater of Operations as a turret specialist all over Europe. After serving is country for almost four years, he earned the Medal of Good Conduct and Bronze Star. Upon his discharge from the Army Air Corps, Gordon was united in marriage with Margaret "Margie" Becker at St. Paul?s Lutheran Church in LeCenter, Minnesota. Their union was blessed with one daughter, Nancy. Following his marriage, Gordon was employed in Minnesota and Northern Iowa before settling in Denison, Iowa, where he had lived since 1951. From the time of his move to Denison until retiring as it?s President in 1985, Gordon was employed by Green Colonial Heating and Cooling. After retirement Gordon enjoyed spending more time pursuing his hobbies of golf, bridge, dancing, traveling and wintering in Mesa, Arizona. Margie died February 6, 1992, and Gordon continued to reside in Denison and wintering in Mesa, Arizona since 1994. On December 28, 1996, Gordon was united in marriage with E. Frances Ossian in Mesa, Arizona. They made their home in Denison, spending their winters in Mesa. Gordon was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Denison, a lifetime member and former president of the Denison Country Club, Sylvan Lodge # 507, A.F.& A.M., Denison, Iowa, Abu-Bekr Shrine of Sioux City, American Legion and VFW. Gordon died June 11, 2008, at his home in Denison, Iowa, with his loving family at his side. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 88 years, 6 months and 14 days. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin and Emma Young, his first wife, Margie Becker Young, one sister, Frances Ganfield and one brother, Robert Young. Those remaining to cherish his memory include his wife, E. Frances Ossian of Denison, Iowa, one daughter, Nancy and husband, Chris Nacu of Macomb Township, Michigan, one step-daughter, Karen and husband, Tom Kilzer of Ralston, Nebraska, two step-sons, Martin Ossian of Merritt Island, Florida and Donald Ossian and wife, Robin of Gilbert, Arizona, two granddaughters, Lori and husband, Paul Schmier of West Milford, New Jersey and Kristine and husband, Evan Flashner of Amesbury, Massachusetts, three step-granddaughters, Melinda and husband, Doug Slings of Palo, Iowa, and Jesse and Skylar Ossian of Gilbert, Arizona, one step-grandson, Joseph Kilzer and wife, Chris of Omaha, Nebraska, three great-grandsons, Travis, Jake and Braden Leary and one great granddaughter, Hayley Schmier all of West Milford, New Jersey, four step great grandchildren, Joshua and Allison Kilzer of Omaha, Nebraska and Emma and Jason Slings of Palo, Iowa, one brother, William Young of Panama City, Florida, and many other relatives and friends.