Ralph Lee Young, 85, of Ottumwa, Iowa, passed away peacefully at Vista Woods Care Center in Ottumwa, on May 9, 2026.
He was born September 1, 1940 in Ottumwa to Clayton Alfred and Cleo Lucille McElroy Young.
Ralph graduated from Ottumwa High School and went on to work for the Ottumwa Post Office for 38 years, retiring at age 56. Not one to sit around, Ralph began mowing lawns, plowing snow and tilling gardens for family, friends, neighbors and anyone else who needed help. At one time he had almost 80 snows jobs!
He had been a member of Willard St. United Methodist Church and currently, First Presbyterian Church. He had also served on the board of Shaul Cemetery.
Ralph loved being outside. He was an avid gardener and looked forward to purchasing seeds and plants each year. He took great pride in sharing his harvest of tomatoes, peppers, radishes and onions with neighbors and friends. You would often see him carting a bushel basket of fresh picked greens beans into the house for Lois to can. It was important to him that each grandchild get their home canned green beans for Christmas each year. His garden truly was his happy place!
He was also very proud of his former home on Shaul Avenue in Ottumwa. He loved his barn with his John Deere tractor, his mowers and his Kubota. When he and Lois remodeled the home, he had heated floors installed in the garage and basement. You’d often find him sitting in the garage in the winter watching the Hawkeyes in his 60-degree garage.
Ralph loved his family and was very proud of his daughters, Steph Courtney (David Frederick) of Littleton, Colorado and Kim Garner (Rich Garner) of Ottumwa; his grandchildren Matthew Courtney of Denver, Colorado, Zach Garner (Julie Griffith) of Ottumwa, Jessica Courtney of St Louis, MO and Kourtney Cortez (Javier Cortez) of Bondurant, Iowa. He has two great-grandchildren Isabella and Mateo Cortez of Bondurant; sisters Dianne (Larry) Borst and Suzanne (George) Smith and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding Ralph in death is his wife of 46 years Lois Young, parents Clayton and Cleo Young; brothers, Bill and John Young and sister Jeanne Dillon.
His body has been cremated. A celebration of Ralph’s Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Ottumwa or Care Initiatives Hospice of Albia.
Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
