Jean Youngson
Jean Marie (Thompson) Youngson, aged 81, formerly of Minden, Nebraska, set off on her next journey December 29, 2021, from her home in Ada, MI, surrounded by the family that loved her.
Jeanie was the youngest born to Harold and Ruby Thompson in Franklin County, Nebraska. A Minden High School Valedictorian and National Merit Scholar, she attended the University of Nebraska, in Lincoln. Jeanie spent two glorious summers (1959-1960) working in Yellowstone National Park; forging a lifelong legacy of enjoyment and devotion to the park for her children and grandchildren.
Lanny and Jeanie married in 1961 in San Francisco, California, and spent the greater part of their 68-year-long relationship in their Ada home after Lanny’s job transferred him to Michigan in 1969.
Most important to Jeanie was the raising of her family, including all the cats she so adored. She was a gentle, kind, and loving mother and protector of all animals. Her greatest daily joy was watching and caring for the local wildlife with Lanny – ensuring that any strays never went hungry. Her children’s similar sensibilities are a testament to her love, and devotion to all animals and nature in general.
Jeanie was a voracious reader and a student of everything history, western art, science, genealogy, and archaeology. Traveling and the planning of trips was her delight, though she almost always cut trips short because she so dearly missed her cats. She was deeply rooted to her past and utilized her great sleuthing skills to learn all she could about her ancestors. She also felt a very strong responsibility to bettering the lives of Native American children.
Her parents and brother, Dale, preceded her in death. Surviving is her loving husband, Lanny; son, Jonathan (Misty) Youngson and their children Madeline, Jonny and Hayden; daughter, Holly (Col. Joseph) Mancy, and daughter Johanna Youngson; daughter Carla (Robert) Kane, and their children Daniel and Lauren; son, Tom (Mollie); and her beloved cats.
Also surviving are her sister and brother, Marilyn Meyer and Chuck (Lawana) Thompson, as well as her aunt Ardyce Cronin, uncle Don Johnson and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Memorial services will be on a date to be determined at the Moline Cemetery in Hildreth, Nebraska.
In honor of Jeanie, her family would appreciate donations sent to Running Strong for American Indian Youth, Northern Plains Reservation Aid, and St. Labre Indian School.
To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Jean’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com
