Marvin L. Young

Creighton — Marvin LeRoy Young, 85, of Creighton, died Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 at Brockhaus Funeral Home in Creighton.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at Faith United Church in Creighton. Revs. Bev Hieb and Claire Gager will officiate.

Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Creighton.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation or a charity of the giver's choice in Marvin's name.

Marvin, son of Walter and Amelia (Milne) Young, was born on Sept. 16, 1939, at home in rural O'Neill. He was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He entered through Heaven's gates on Nov. 30, 2024, at the age of 85. 

Marvin attended Opportunity Rural School. He loved telling stories about riding to school on the family's horse behind his brother Robert. The stories included falling off the horse, snowstorms and sometimes kidding around.

He graduated from O'Neill High School in 1957. Marvin participated in football, basketball, track and cross-country. A special memory was running in the state track and cross-country meets, and he and his brothers held the O'Neill High School record in the mile in succession for many years. 

Marvin served his country in the Nebraska Army National Guard. He was an active member of the United Church of Christ, the Verdigris Township Board and Antelope County Farm Bureau. He also served as president of Zoo Nebraska in Royal.

He met Valda Bahr in December of 1959 on a blind date in O'Neill. They were married on Sept. 16, 1961, at the Presbyterian Church in South Sioux City. Three children were born to them Kelli, Kevin and Korey. Marvin also considered Tim Compton and Sven Burk to be his sons. His nephew Tim spent several summers working at the farm learning from Marvin. Sven came to the Youngs as a foreign exchange student and left as a son. 

Marvin spoke fondly of his years working for Fox Brothers Hay Company but built his legacy on his and Valda's farm near Royal. 

Marvin was a man of strong faith who lived his life according to biblical principles. He was quiet in his words but loud in his actions with a passion for serving others. A family friend and neighbor relayed how surprised she was at Marvin, when unprompted, he stood up in church to tell others of his faith and how he used it to get through everyday life. She went on to say that his proudest accomplishment was his children. He was the first one to help a neighbor, and his resiliency was unmatched.

Marvin's influence extended beyond his family as he mentored and inspired countless individuals to live a life of faith and service. His mentorship included the young men who worked on the farm, youth in his Sunday school classes and members of the church youth group. Ask any of them about the hayrack rides, the proper way to put in a corner post or the dunking stand that “Marvy” built.

He enjoyed attending state wrestling meets for many years, but his most recent enjoyment came from interacting with his grandkids and great-grandkids. He loved teasing them, telling them stories and hearing about their lives. They always brought a smile to his face.

Family and friends knew the stories of his hard work and faithfulness. His legacy continues with his children, grandchildren and those he has impacted.

Marvin is survived by his wife Valda of Creighton; three children Kelli (Tom) Brewer of Murdock, Kevin (Kelly) Young of Atkinson and Korey (Tammy) Young of Pharr, Texas; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two special sons Tim Compton of Billings, MT and Sven Burk of Marburg, Germany; two brothers Robert (Nancy) Young and Junior (Charlene) Young, all of O'Neill; one sister Esther Ryan of Lincoln; two brothers-in-law Tim (Marilyn) Bahr of Dakota Dunes, SD and Gifford Tompkins of Tucson, AZ; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law Elmer “Dude” and Helen Bahr; one sister Alice Compton Tompkins; two brothers-in-law Buck Compton and John Ryan; and two sister- and brothers-in-law Jeannine (Marvin) Mayberry and Marilyn (Rolland) Weyhrich.