James "Jim" Edward Youngs

Former president of Badger Construction Equipment, James Edward Youngs, 83, of Winona, MN passed away on Saturday, July 22 2017 in Auburn, California of natural causes, after a long battle with severe dementia.
Jim was born January 21,1934 to Evelyn and J. Kenneth Youngs in Springfield, Ohio. Jim was an excellent student and basketball player growing up. After high school, Jim enlisted in the Marine Corps, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Ohio State University. After beginning his career at Westinghouse in Columbus, Ohio, Jim moved into the construction equipment manufacturing field with Huber Corporation in Marion, Ohio. In 1976, he took a senior management position with Warner and Swasey in Goodview, Minnesota. When Warner and Swasey became Badger Construction Equipment, Jim was named President and served in that capacity for many years. He retired to a 220-acre beef farm at the age of 56 in 1990.
Jim married Nancy Thomson in 1955. They were married for 47 years until Nancy passed from cancer in 2002. Jim and Nancy had three sons: Chris, Andy and Curt, and a daughter Dayna who died at birth. Jim and Nancy raised their boys in rural Ohio.
After Jim and Nancy moved to Minnesota, they attended Immanuel Lutheran Church - Silo. The Silo congregation became their special friends, and the Jerry and Cheryl Larson family became part of Jim and Nancy's family.
After Nancy's death, Jim found the courage to live on with encouragement from his children. Jim met Marcia Vickmark in church, and they married May 1st, 2010. They shared 5 wonderful years together before Jim's dementia became severe. Jim's family relocated him to California where Andy and his wife Dora helped provide in-home care.
Jim was a memorable character - stories about him could fill a book. He was a hard businessman with an immutable sense of truth, honor and fairness. He also had a softer side and a big heart that he showed to those he loved.
Jim is survived by his wife Marcia, 2 sons, 10 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 4 siblings, Marcia's family and many very special friends. He was preceded in death by his son Chris and first wife Nancy.
A funeral will be held at 3:00 PM, August 20 at Immanuel Lutheran Church - Silo, near Lewiston. Interment will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery - Silo. In lieu of flowers (waste of good money according to Jim!) it is requested that donations be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Silo School. Please leave an online tribute at HoffFuneral.com