Mary Lu Younkin

Mary Lu Younkin of Des Moines went to be with her Lord on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Mary Lu was born March 15, 1925 to Curtis and Iva Megchelsen Younkin in Montrose, IA. Mary Lu attended one year at Wheaton College and was graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI). While in college she played basketball and softball. She taught in a country school near Montrose for a year or so and then had a long career teaching math in elementary schools in the Des Moines School District. In 1986 she received an award from the school district for Excellence in Teaching Math. She was a charter member of Westkirk Presbyterian Church serving as its first treasurer for some 20 years. Mary Lu sang in the choir, helping secure the first set of robes and much of its music. She served on the search committee when Pastor Mudlaff was called. She co-taught a Sunday School class and later was a loyal member of the Adult Bible Class. Mary Lu was active in the Bagpipers (luncheon group), the Prayer Shawl Knitters, Westkirk Lunch and Learn, and the Dorcus Circle of which she served as treasurer for many years. She was a part of a Breakfast Club that met at a local McDonalds for years. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, John and Robert, and sisters, Helen VanAusdall and Margaret Sigmund. She is survived by sister-in-law Elaine Younkin of Montrose, brother-in-law Leroy Sigmund of Boone, nephews, Douglas Younkin (Martha) of Union, MO, Alan Younkin (Sybil) of St Louis, MO, John VanAusdall (Marian) of San Antonio, TX, niece, Joann Mutch (Don) of Macomb, IL, and many grand nephews and nieces. A Visitation with family will be held at the Westkirk Presbyterian Church, 2700 Colby Woods Drive, Urbandale, IA on Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at 9 a.m. A Funeral Service will be held there at 10 a.m. A Luncheon will follow the service. Burial will be in the Montrose Cemetery at 3:30 that afternoon. Memorials may be made to Westkirk Presbyterian Church.