Nolan R. Young

Nolan Young, 79, Rollag, Minn., died on May 29, 2021, at home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley after a short battle with cancer.

Nolan was born April 25, 1942, to John and Alma (Nelson) Young. He was baptized, confirmed and a lifetime member of Rollag Lutheran Church, rural Hawley, where he served on various committees. He graduated from Hawley High School 1960. He served in the Army National Guard from 1964 to 1970.

Nolan and Beatrice “Bea” Johnson of Pelican Rapids were united in marriage on February 1, 1964, at Zion Lutheran on Lake Franklin, rural Pelican Rapids. To this union were born three children, Todd, Lisa and Heidi.

Over the years Nolan worked for various companies. His latest employment was with Young Masonry until he started own business known as Nolan Young Construction. The first years he did concrete work but then it became gravel delivery company. He owned and operated the Clay County #10 Bait Shop. In addition to his many jobs, he also farmed. He had a great love of the land.

Nolan was a member of the Hawley Jaycees, Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion, Cormorant Lakes Sportsmen’s Club, Barnesville American Legion, and was founder of the Clay-Wilkin Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. In addition to being member of these organizations, he served as president of the Hawley Jaycees and was a Regional Director of the MN Jaycees; president of the Cormorant Lakes Sportsmen’s Club, president for several terms of the Clay-Wilkin MDHA. He was also instrumental in implementing winter aeration into many area lakes.

Nolan enjoyed fishing and deer hunting and was an avid watcher of the NASCAR races. Prior to his marriage, he had a race car which he drove at the Buffalo River Speedway and other nearby locations. He was proud of his collection of Case tractors and loved having his family with him in the parades at Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion.  In 2019, the year of the Case Expo, he had 22 tractors in the parade at WMSTR where he led his family through the parade with this infectious smile. He enjoyed going to the deer shack near Itasca every fall with his latest hunting buddies, Don Nelson, Joe Pederson, Dave Christensen, Jimmy Haugen and the late Bill Nelson. He had a terrific memory for family history. He loved reminiscing about his younger days and telling stories to his grandchildren. His greatest joy was his children and grandchildren.

Nolan is survived by his wife, Bea; son Todd (Shana) Young of Detroit Lakes; daughters, Lisa (Eric) Lawson of Hawley, and Heidi (Brock) Knutson of Hawley; grandchildren, Amanda (Matthew Blanchard) Young, Jalen (Dani Unruh) Young, Addisyn Young, Lainey Young, Hunter (Ramsey Hammer) Lawson, Tavia (Mitchell Hall) Lawson, Gunnar Lawson, Gavin Knutson, Marley Knutson, and Brynn Knutson; great-granddaughter, Reagan Blanchard; sister, Carolyn “Sue” (Dave) Christensen of Hawley, and several nieces and nephews.

Nolan is preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Young, Jr.; sister-in-law Betty Young; brother-in law, Joe Murphy, and his father and mother-in-law, Alvin and Bernice Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials to be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 6, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 at Rollag Lutheran Church, rural Hawley, MN.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 7, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation one hour before the service at Rollag Lutheran Church. A live Webcast will be available here on Nolan’s page.

Burial will be in the church cemetery.