"A year has gone by since we bid you farewell and I miss you like crazy. Love, Dawn"
In loving memory of
John "Johnny" Youngwirth
February 20, 1936 - September 3, 2012
John A. "Johnny" Youngwirth, first generation American, was born February 20, 1936, at Algona, Iowa, to John A. and Helen (Freese) Youngwirth. He attended St. Joseph's Catholic School through 8th grade and graduated from Wesley High School in the Class of 1954.
John worked at Robinson Produce and Feed after graduation. He married Carol "Toots" Goetz on June 5, 1958 in Wesley. He then entered the US Army and served as a medic near Stuttgart, Germany. The couple lived in Germany for two years until John was discharged from the service. They moved back to Wesley where they owned and operated Johnny's Market for 24 years. He then worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker.
John was a dedicated community supporter and was instrumental in many projects including July 4th Celebration, the South Park, City Housing Project and community fundraising. He was a member of the Wesley Fire Department, City Council, township election board and many committees. He was also a devoted member of his church where he sang in the choir and dedicated his time and talent to many church projects.
John enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, canning, woodworking, butchering, rock polishing and his many friends. He had more projects than he had time to finish and always had a trick up his sleeve.
John died on Labor Day, September 3, 2012, at the Veteran's Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, at the age of 76.
Survivors include daughter Gail and husband Kim Rueter of Grand Junction, Iowa and their children Kyle and Sean Kenan; daughter Dawn and her husband John Rasmussen of Wesley and their children, Devon (John) Kenyon and Patrick; great grandchildren Connor and Carilyn Kenyon; son Ed and wife Staci of Lenexa, Kansas and their children, Derek, Jill, Ryan, Natalie and Reese; son Joe and his wife Diana of Des Moines, Iowa, and their children, Ellie, Abbie and Emilie; son Tom and his wife Elizabeth of Windsor Heights, Iowa, and their children George, Hannah, Jack and Theodore and daughter Jill and her husband Michael Chalfie of Shawnee, Kansas and their children, Lily, Luke and Grace. Also surviving is one sister Alice May of Algona and sister-in-law Ardell Youngwirth of Washington and a host of relatives.
John was preceded in death by his wife Toots of 53 years, his parents and siblings Ambrose, Richard, Larry, Luke Youngwirth and Dorothy Becker and Mary Krieps.
Tributes
"JOHNNY WAS ALWAYS DOING SOMETHING IN WESLEY,ALSO MY PARENTS ENJOYED GOING THEIR HOUSE TO SWIM IN THE WINTER,ESPECIALLY MY DAD"
"To the Youngwirth "kids"- My whole family has valued and appreciated the friendship our folks had with your family and the joy our Dads had doing their projects. Sorry I couldn't make it to the visitation or funeral but was glad to be at your Mom's and get to see all of you! Sorry for your loss. Dick Jongewaard"
"Never forget what he and Toots did for our family way back when. His kindness will never be forgotten. He will be missed. Our sympathy to the family."
"My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the youngwirth family.baoth jaohnny and toots were friends of my parents for many many years. I sincerely appreciate the friendship that they shared throughout the years. I remember many special memories of your father, and the great father that he was. May your family enjoy theecial memories that your dad left beyond. Patrick and Cathy Becker las Vegas, nv"
"The the family of Johnny: Johnny was a "one of a kind" guy, greatly admired by all who were lucky enough to have known him, especially myself. His sense of God, family, community and sense of humor came so natural to him. It was just who he always was everyday. I know now he is at peace and so happy to be with the love of his life "Toots"! They were always together on earth and now I'm sure they are reunited in heaven and smiling!! "
"Our deepest sympathies in reading about Johnny. His brother, Luke, was my uncle and we loved coming to Wesley to visit Luke and Rita. My Dad was Lou Vitzthum--Rita's brother--and I remember Johnny being out to Luke's and what fun we had at some of the get-togethers at Luke & Rita's place~~~Luke & Johnny were quite a pair! Our thoughts and prayers to all the family....a great loss. Carole (Vitzthum) & Jack Cashmer, Cornell, IL"