Kay A. Young

Kay Allen Young, 68 of Cook passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2016 at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth.

Kay was born on December 23, 1947 in Laporte, Indiana the son of Kenneth and Mirdie (Colburn) Young. Kay grew up in Laporte, where he was a star football player and graduated from high school. He worked various jobs until he joined the Air Force and served from 1972 to August 1975. He was stationed at Ft.Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming, McChord AFB in Washington, and in Alaska, where he learned skills as an electrician and where he showed his outstanding supervision skills and devotion to duty. He furthered his education by completing an electrician course at a trade school where he earned his license as an electrician. He returned to Laporte where he met Florence "Bunny" Martin and married her on May 29, 1981 in Michigan City, Indiana. Kay and Bunny rode their motorcycle around the United States when time allowed. They moved to Mt. Plymouth, Florida where they lived for 22 years. Kay was a master electrician and worked on notable projects in Florida including Disney World, hotels, motels and resorts. Kay was an avid builder and gardener. He built numerous outdoor greenhouses growing orchids and other flowers and plants. He built numerous outdoor trellises for his roses and plants. Kay loved gardening and outdoor work. Bunny was born in northern Minnesota so they began coming to the Cook and Orr area in the late 1990's to fish and visit relatives. They decided to move north and eventually settled in Cook in 2004, where they have since resided. He continued his love of gardening grew flowers for show and grew vegetables for eating and canning. Kay was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cook, where he was a trustee and member of the Parish Council. He was currently the maintenance man at St. Mary's and handled all projects especially electrical. A major accomplishment was his installation of the new furnace with a fellow parishioner. He was at home in St. Mary's social hall kitchen whether it was repairing the stove or dishwasher to helping with a pancake breakfast, thanksgiving dinner or canning.

He is preceded in death by one sister, Marsha Hartsgard.

Kay is survived by his loving wife of nearly 35 years, Florence "Bunny" Young of Cook; one son: Kay (Shawna) Chandler of Cody, WY, one brother, Kenneth Young of Sheridan, IN; one sister-in-law, Ethel Paul of Hibbing; and two grandchildren, Kelsie and Kalie Chandler.

SERVICES: A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Cook, where visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Fr. Drew Braun will be the celebrant. Music will be provided by St. Mary's Funeral Choir with Marjorie Miller providing the accompaniment. Honorary bearers will be, Bob Champa, Bill Pohl, Bill Sobyra III, Mark Pauley, Bryan Pearsson and Brad Waara. Military honors will be accorded by the Honor Guards of the Cook VFW Post #1757 and the Orr American Legion Post #480. A reception will follow in the church social hall. Interment will be held in the CookCommunityCemetery at a later date. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. To sign the online guest book or to leave a condolence for the family go to: www.mlakerfuneralhome.com