Sophia Mae Young

SOPHIA MAE YOUNG

Marion

Sophia Mae Young died on March 15, 2018, at Winslow House, Marion. As per her wishes, there will be no funeral. There will be a celebration of her life at a later date. Sophia will be buried in Monticello beside her husband, Paul, and her son, Paul Jr.

Sophia was born on April 1, 1925, in Monticello, Iowa. She was the only daughter of John and Hannah Null, and had four brothers, Ray, Vernon, Earl and Roy. Having four brothers, Sophia was a tomboy and preferred being outside driving the tractor or taking care of the horses. She graduated from Monticello High and attended school at the University of Northern Iowa. During World War II, she worked at a munitions factory, and was in charge of the ration books in her area of Jones County. She married Paul Young of Monticello after he came back from World War II.

Sophia taught elementary school for many years, teaching in the Alburnett and Marion school districts. Her best teaching days were spent at Pius X School with Sister Rita as principal. She particularly loved teaching hands-on science to her fourth graders, and enjoyed sharing literature with her classes. She was named one of the "Outstanding Teachers of the Year" in 1974. After retiring, she worked in the jewelry department at Montgomery Ward and later worked in the cafeteria at Mount Mercy University, where she enjoyed being around the college students. She loved gardening and was proud of her huge hibiscus flowers that grew to the size of dinner plates! Even when she stopped her vegetable gardening, she always had at least one tomato plant. She baked marvelous kolaches and made a delicious sauerkraut salad.

Sophia and Paul had four children, Sandra, Paula, Paul and Larry. Her children remember her love of reading and how she read chapter books to them every night. "Good-bye, My Lady" was one of those memorable books. She was one tough lady and never complained, finding the good in life. She loved to travel and took trips to Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Canada and almost every state in the United States. One particular trip was a 12-day drive all around Colorado with her daughter, Sandy, and granddaughter, Cindy. They literally took the roads less traveled and got lost often, and had the best time ever. Sophia Mae was a terrific sport and always kept up, whether it was walking up a mountain or taking Larry's motorcycle out for a spin.

She enjoyed her three grandchildren, Catherine, Megan and Cindy. She loved taking Catherine and Megan to swimming lessons when they were young, staying to watch and cheer them on. They all have stories about Grandma helping them with spelling, reading or cutting their hair crooked. She drove those granddaughters everywhere, including her childhood haunts in Monticello. She was very proud of all three girls and their college careers and subsequent jobs. She also had fun with her great-granddaughter, Melanie, and great-grandson, Zane.

The family wishes to thank Winslow House and Hospice Compassus. Winslow House treated our Mom with kindness and dignity, and we consider them angels on earth. And Hospice Compassus not only comforted Mom with songs, massages and conversation, but kept her comfortable to the end of her life.

We all will miss her pioneer spirit and her courage when faced with hardships. We know that she is finding an old tractor to drive in heaven, and saying hello to her brothers and family there. She again is walking out in the country, looking at the corn and soybeans and finding that pony she used to ride to school the one that would go home without her. And she is swinging on the old swing out in front of her childhood home, seeing how high she can go without falling off. That's our mom, grandmother, Iowa girl and countrywoman.

Please share a memory of Sophia at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.