Memorial services for Elmer James Young of New Richland will be at 11 a.m. March 29 at First Congregational Church in New Richland. The Rev. Pamela Jensen will officiate. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Freeborn Cemetery.

Elmer died Tuesday, March 15, 2016, at Ecumen Care Center in New Richland. He was 94.

Elmer was born July 30, 1921, in Freeborn Township on the family farm, the son of Jerome and Mabel (Rassmussen) Young. He attended country school and entered the United States Army in 1942 serving overseas during World War II. He was seriously wounded in Italy and was awarded the Purple Heart. After his return in 1945 he was united in marriage to Elvira Christiansen on July 30, 1946, in Freeborn. Together they farmed the family farm in rural Wells for many years.

Elmer was a member of First Congregational Church and a member for over 60 years of the American Legion. Elmer loved his pet dogs and traveling around the country to visit relatives. Special times were spent with the family and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Elvira, of New Richland; children Dale (Linda) Young of New Richland, Rosemarie (Merl) Linder of Holmen, Wisconsin, Daniel Young of San Antonio, Texas, Myrna (Fred) Gommels of Rochester and Dunnell (Rita) Young of Port St. Lucie, Florida; grandchildren Chad (Felicia) Young, Shanon (Kris) Young, Shawn Young, Michele (Brian) Coady, Melissa Young, Joshua (Emily Pease and children Hannah and William) Gommels, Jared Gommels, Nathan Young and Alicia Young; great-grandchildren Matthew (Desiree Hoffman) Young, Brandon Young, Jerome Young, Charlotte Young and Jerard Young; and great-great-granddaughter, Lola Young. Also surviving is one sister, Martha Ignaszewski, of Wells; brother-in-law, Norbert Groskreutz, of Wells; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents Jerome and Mabel Young; son, William Earl; great-granddaughter, Charlene Young; brother, Melvin and Ruby Young; sisters Florence and Herman Johannsen and Arlene Groskreutz; and brother-in-law, Phillip Ignaszewski.