In Memory of Gerald "Jerry" Alan Youngren

Gerald “Jerry” Alan Youngren, age 62, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2019, at his lake home in Lake View, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 27, 2019, at the United Methodist Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Pastor Ken Miller will officiate. Committal will follow in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa. A Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa. The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.                                                                                        
Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Gerald “Jerry” Alan Youngren, the son of Carol and Ruth (Kessler) Youngren, was born on July 20, 1956, in Storm Lake, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed in the Odebolt United Methodist church.

Jerry graduated from Odebolt-Arthur High School with the class of 1974, where he played on the Maple Valley Conference football championship team in his senior year.

After high school, Jerry engaged in farming, trucking and tractor pulling. On December 30, 1983, Jerry married Linda Bernhardt and the couple were blessed with a son Travis.

In the 80’s, Jerry served as a junior board member on the Odebolt CO-OP Association and was instrumental in the preservation of the Odebolt and Ida Grove railway. In the last few years Jerry became involved in the cattle industry alongside his son Travis.

The family’s Lake View home was Jerry’s favorite place where he enjoyed boating with family and friends. He loved taking trips, especially traveling to the Florida Keys. Jerry was an avid race car fan. He relished in attending various NASCAR races with his son. In his younger years, Jerry was very proud of his modified stock car that won multiple championship titles.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Linda Youngren of Odebolt, IA; son Travis (fiancee Maranda McNamara) Youngren of Odebolt, IA; grandchildren Harlow and Elowyn Youngren; parents Carol and Ruth Youngren; sister Janet (Steve) Case of Omaha, NE; sister-in-law Nancy Youngren of Odebolt, IA; four nephews, two nieces, and many great nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his brother Robert Youngren; grandparents Paul and Clara Youngren and Harry and Minnie Kessler; uncles Raymond and Robert Kessler; and aunt Miriam (Youngren) Phillips.