The following narrative is from Joe's Funeral Mass

Loysen Joseph Yungbluth was a truly kind and gentle soul who lived a life of abundant love and peace.

Born and raised on a farm in South Dakota, he loved rural life. He took genuine satisfaction from a hard day of work and good old practical ingenuity.

In 1942, he enlisted in the Navy where he was stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and where he courted the beautiful Mary Cassidy. They married in 1945 and moved to South Dakota where he earned his degree.

While landing his dream job, he was fortunate to meet Father Flanagan. Loysen lived and worked at Boys Town for 39 years. Officially, he was a teacher and guidance counselor. Unofficially, he was a positive role model. Loysen (or Joe as he was now known) and his wife Mary were both respected and appreciated in the community for their decades of volunteer work. Devout Catholics, they lived their deep faith with a warm and gentle nature. Mary and Joe shared 43 years of happy marriage and raised nine children.

After Mary's death, Joe married Helen Kosnjek. In their nearly twenty years of marriage they shared faith, service to others, and that special sparkle of love. Helen and her large family embraced Joe; and Joe and his family embraced them.

Twice widowed, Joe's last years were spent in his home in good health. His last week was highlighted by the celebration of his 96th birthday surrounded by a crowd of family and friends.

For a man who valued daily prayer, his greatest prayer was his life.

Thank you for joining us in his final "amen".