Millie Young

Mildred “Millie” Young, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, with her devoted daughter by her side. 

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Garner, followed by a luncheon to celebrate Millie’s life and legacy. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., Garner with a Scriptural wake service at 3:30 p.m. followed by a rosary.

Memorials will be given to Cardinal Grove and St Boniface Catholic Church, honoring Millie’s lifelong commitment to faith, care, and community.

Millie was born on May 12, 1930, and was lovingly adopted by Russell and Mary Keith.  She lived her life being loved and cherished, and even though she never got to know her sister, Ida Mae, who perished at birth, she carried her in her heart with reverence and love. Millie was known for her generous spirit and her gift for making others feel welcome and cherished. She found deep fulfillment in crafting, pouring her heart into handmade creations that brought beauty and comfort to those around her. Her love of socializing meant her home was often filled with laughter, stories, and the warmth of friendship. In her later years, she loved having her friends over for tea or coffee. Even though she might be confined to her chair, there was always room for friends old and new.  Above all, Millie’s enduring faith was the cornerstone of her life, guiding her through every season with strength and serenity. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Robert “Skinny” Young; her parents, Russell and Mary Keith; and her baby sister, Ida May Keith.

Millie leaves behind her son, John (Sheryl) Young of Mesa, AZ; her daughter, Annette (David) McLain of Keosauqua, IA; four granddaughters, Amanda (Jason) VanKleeck,   Ashley (Andrew) Brown, Angela (Phil) Leake, and Heather (Justin) Fox; nine great-grandchildren: Calen and Cooper Brown; Faith, Caitlyn and Nicholas Leake; Allyson, Natalie, Holden and Dylan Fox; and her brother, Robert (Kathy) Keith of Cincinnati OH. Each of them carries a piece of Millie’s heart – a legacy of love, laughter, and unwavering devotion.  

Millie’s presence will be deeply missed, but her spirit lives on in the lives she touched and the memories she leaves behind.