
Ralph Oscar Youngstrom
Born: April 9th, 1920
Died: February 4th, 1996
Obituary
Ralph Oscar Youngstrom, 75, of 2100 River St., Burlington, died at 5:10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, 1996, at St. Francis Continuation Care Center. Born April 9, 1920, in Burlington, he was the son of Ernest C. and Esther Bloom Youngstrom. He married Doris M. Dickey Oct. 30, 1948, in Burlington. He was a 1938 graduate of Burlington High School, attended Burlington Junior College and was a 1942 graduate of Grinnell College with a degree in economics and business administration. In college, he was a member of the Burlington Junior College state championship basketball team of 1940 and Grinnell College conference champions of 1942. He served four users of active duty with the Navy and was discharge with the rank of Lt. Senior-Grade. He entered the University of Iowa Law School, graduating in 1948, and returning to Burlington to become associated with the Don k. Walter law firm. Four years later, Mr. Walter became associated with Poor, Fischer and Cray, and in 1954, the firm became known as Poor, Cray, Walter and Youngstrom. In 1963 he joined F&M Bank as trust officer and vice president, retiring in 1985. He had been active in many community organizations, including the Iowa and Burlington Junior Bar Associations, and served on the boards of United Way and Red Cross. He also was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, served on its board and was building chairman for the present church structure. He was treasure of the Burlington School District for 32 years, secretary of Burlington Golf Club for 19 years and manager of the National Little League for several years. Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Christine Youngstrom of Iowa City, Carolyn Scheer of Marion, and Cathryn Coates of St. Augustine, Fla.; one son, Charles Youngstrom of Greenwood, Ind.; nine grandchildren; two sisters, Marian Krekel of Burlington and Marjorie Hirleman of Cedar Rapids; and nieces and nephews. Visitation will be after 8 a.m. Wednesday at Lunning Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The funeral for Mr. Youngstrom will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Messiah Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Donald Hoornstra officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A memorial has been established for Messiah Lutheran Church and St. Francis Continuation Care Center.