Clara Young, 104, of Russell, died on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at her home in Russell.  She was born on June 24, 1905 in Bunker Hill, Kansas, the daughter of Henry P. and Anna Elizabeth (Schneider) Bender.  She grew up and attended school in the Bunker Hill area and lived in the Russell county area all her life.  She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Sherman Leslie Young on January 11, 1930 in Russell, Kansas.  From this union they were blessed with her son Leonard and three daughters Juanita, Shirley and Mary Ellen.  Clara and her husband Sherman, had 60 wonderful years together before Sherman passed away in 1990.  She lived during a time when the United States and the world were changing faster than ever before.  Clara enjoyed life and in her 104 years she lived to see such wonders as indoor plumbing, electricity, the automobile, computers as well as space travel and astronauts landing on the moon.  She was quoted as saying “I have seen many wonderful things in my life but I feel the most amazing thing I have witnessed was the cure for polio and the discovery of penicillin.”  She was a quiet and simple person who enjoyed attending and being active at St. John Lutheran Church for most all her life.  She was involved with the church women’s groups and was a member of the American Legion Post #99 in Russell.  She enjoyed quilting and was a fantastic crossword puzzle worker.  She worked hard as a babysitter and waitress with her primary job being a homemaker taking care of her husband, children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her three daughters Juanita Granlund and Shirley A. Mauro both of Russell and Mary Ellen. Lokken and husband Thorvald of Strum, Wisconsin; sisters Lavina Gray of Russell and Esther R. Kornmeyer of Kingman, Arizona; many Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great-Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Sherman, son Leonard; five brothers Paul, Rudolph, Edward Lee, Herbert and Vernon; two sisters Frances Elder and Amelia Bean; three grandsons Anthony Riedel, Anthony Wood and Curtis Wood.    

Celebration of Clara’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday June 17, 2010 at the St. John Lutheran Church of, Russell, Kansas with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with family present to greet visitors from 6 PM to 7 PM Wednesday evening.  Memorials may be given to the St. John Lutheran Church and sent in care of the mortuary.  Condolences may be sent via email by going to www.pvpmortuary.com.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral arrangements.