Roland Young

Roland, child of God, maker in metal, guardian of martins, helper of monarchs, solver of sudoku puzzles, and advocate of bridges, reached his final “plateau” and now rests in his Savior's arms.

Roland's true legacy was his faith and trust in Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord, a faith which was the foundation not only of all his diligent work in this life, but of all his hope in the life to come. By God's grace, in word and action, he taught his family what a humble, faithful, firm-to-the-end Christian life looks like.

Roland Oliver Young, age 90, died Sunday, December 16, 2018 at home in Grand Forks, ND under the care of Altru Hospice.  He was surrounded by his loving family.

Roland was born October 12, 1928 in Anoka, Minnesota to Herbert and Alta (Volkenant) Young.  He was the youngest of four siblings. He graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1946.

Rol’s first place of employment to put his German “work ethic” to use was the Goodman Farm Electric Company in Grand Forks as a sophomore in high school.  His brother, Frank, who was also employed there, was influential in getting him hired to repair, prepare and spray paint rebuilt generators.  In 1947, Roland and his two brothers, Dick and Frank, purchased a machine and welding shop in Grand Forks and established Young Brothers Manufacturing.  The Korean War put their creative and industrious work on hold as Rol joined the 231st Engineer Combat Battalion of the North Dakota National Guard in 1950.  As a machinist, he was assigned to the 765th Transportation Railway Shop Battalion in Pusan.  In 1952 when he returned from the service, having attained the rank of Sergeant 1st Class, he took a position as a machinist at the US Bureau of Mines Lignite Research Laboratory (currently the EERC- Energy & Environmental Research Center).  His design and engineering work there was acknowledged with many awards. 

He met Lois (McIntyre) Young on the musical stage in Riverside Park while performing Cavalleria Rusticana .  They both had extraordinarily beautiful singing voices.  They often sang at funerals and weddings as well as in church choirs at United Lutheran and University Lutheran.  They were married March 9, 1957 in Grand Forks at United Lutheran Church.  They raised five children; Jane, Alan, Larry, Tom and Dana.  Lois died in 1988 of cancer.  He married Millie Everson in 1989.  He had many fond memories of spending time with her and her family.

Rol’s aptitude and interest in designing mechanical equipment was most life-changing when he invented the Panellift® drywall lift which led him to establish his manufacturing business- Telpro, Inc.  Throughout his work life, even in his last weeks, he always thought, “There’s got to be a better way…” This was the driving force behind his earthly endeavors such as drywall tools, Red River basin water retention efforts and bridges between North Dakota and Minnesota.   He designed many inventions, over a dozen of which have patents.

Roland will forever be lovingly remembered by his children who benefited from their dad’s mechanically creative brain and engineering, construction and welding abilities.  He purchased and remodeled a 1948 school bus into a camper that produced hundreds of hours of fun adventures for his family.  He was tolerant of a number of family pets, even a crow, for which he designed and constructed a cage “hotel” in their backyard!  Rol made every effort to see that his kids had opportunities to learn while having fun building something-from constructing a 20’ high tree house to building a toboggan slide that rivaled the one in Lincoln park!

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois, brothers Richard Young, and B. Franklin Young, sister Vera Soberg, brother-in-law Pete Soberg, and sister-in-law Delores Young.

He is survived by his children Jane (Miles) Rodacker, Grand Forks; Alan (Eileen) Young, Ypsilanti, Michigan; Larry (Kim) Young, Grand Forks; Tom (Lori) Young, Grand Forks; and Dana (Kimberly) Young, Thompson, ND; and his sister-in-law Vera Young, Edina, MN.  Grandchildren Curran Gause (special friend Martina Mlikota), Mindy (Jay) O'Connor, Cory (Sam) Rodacker, Melissande (Greg) Deardurff, O'Neill Young, Spencer (Rebekah) Young, Amber (Anthony) Mooney, Morgan Young, Matt (Kim) Meyer, Ashley (Andrew) Jacobson, Seth (Joy) Young, Bryce (Caroline) Young and Courtney Young.  Great-grandchildren Kennedy, Kellen, Chassidy, Haiden, Jakson, Rowan, Warrick, Seraphine, Lyriel, Marjorie, Esme, Beatrice, Iris, Gracie, Gretchen, Blake, Harrison, Calvin, Lewis, Lucy and William, as well as many loved and cherished nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 am, Thursday, December 20, 2018 at University Lutheran, Grand Forks, ND.

Visitation will be Wednesday, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm with a 7:30 pm prayer service in Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks.  Visitation will continue for the hour before the service in the church.

Interment: Memorial Park North Cemetery, Grand Forks.  Military honors will be provided by the North Dakota Army National Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Roland’s name to Altru Hospice, University Lutheran Church or an organization of your choosing.