Irma Marie (Wendt) Young, 92, of Grant, passed away peacefully at Perkins County Health and went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Irma was born on February 5, 1933, at the family farmhouse north of Madrid to Hermann and Elsa (Kock) Wendt. Her parents were from Germany, so German was spoken most of the time. When it was time to go to school, Irma had to learn the English language. The family traveled to Germany just before WWII broke out. They were warned to return to America, which they did. The family was proud to be Americans.
Irma attended school in Madrid, graduating in 1951. She attended college at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. She later taught school in Roscoe, Paxton, Elsie, and Madrid in a country school where Irma taught most grades. On June 7, 1953, Irma married Calvin Young at the Zion Lutheran Church in Grant. They were married for 68 years and from this union two children, Peggy and Bruce, were born.
Calvin and Irma lived in Madrid for several years and then moved north of town until they moved to Grant in 1989. Calvin continued to farm, and Irma kept in contact with the two-way radio. In 2012, Calvin suffered a stroke. They continued their interest in farming with their children doing the work. Both enjoyed their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as all the family activities at Zion Lutheran and in the Perkins County area. Irma liked helping at the church, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and helping where she was needed.
Irma was a hard worker and enjoyed the outdoors, and helping around the farm by taking meals to the harvest field, driving the grain cart and truck during harvest, and going to get parts when needed. Irma also enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and gardening. She belonged to several Bible studies and clubs and was on the hospital board. She was good with numbers and served as treasurer for many of the organizations.
Irma was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Young, her parents Hermann and Elsa Wendt, her in-laws, John and Irene Young, her brothers-in-law, Stan Wiens, Lowell Cornelius, and Wendell Young, and her sister-in-law, Janet Young.
Irma is survived by her daughter, Peggy (Alan) Haenfler of Madrid, and their family, Trisha (Chris) Jobman of Lincoln, and children, Evan, Dylan and Morgan Jobman; Troy (Lauren) Haenfler of Omaha and children, Jaxson and Maddyx Haenfler; Irma’s son, Bruce (Bo) Young of Madrid, and their family, Ashleigh (Jason) Noyes of Grant and children, Alexa, Landon, Jace, and Jagger Noyes; Aspen Brown (Ben Wisenhart) of Waverly and children, Kyler and Braxton Brown; Alyssa (Tyler) Thompson of Willington, CO and great-grand daughter, Ella Keller of Omaha; Austin Flook (Kristina Zwettler) of Breckenridge, CO and son, Keller Flook; James Flook of Los Angeles, CA; Deborah Flook of Aurora, CO and children, Gianna and Jaxson Flook; and Nick Braucht (Amanda Braucht) of Fort Worth, TX, and children Griffin and Margot; sister, Rosa Cornelius of Grant and her family; sister-in-law, Carolyn Wiens of Surprise, AZ; cousins, John Wendt of Lake Forest Park, WA and Erna (Keith) Gilster of Lincoln and their families; nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Irma's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 10:00 am at the Zion Lutheran Church in Grant with Pastor Michael Heckmann officiating. Burial will be in the Grant Fairview Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 3 pm until 6 pm at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements.