Vivian Marie Young

Vivian Young, 95, of Worthington, MO, passed away at the Twin Pines Care Center in Kirksville, Missouri, on Saturday, April 4, 2020.  She had been a resident there since February 11, 2020.

Vivian Marie (Fechtling) Young was born in Stahl, Missouri, on November 22, 1924, the daughter of Birney and Neva (Husted) Fechtling, who preceded her in death.  She attended Husted school and graduated from Unionville High School in 1943.  She then began a long teaching career in one room schools. The last rural school she taught at was Martinstown before it was consolidated.  She then taught at Unionville elementary school until leaving in 1969. Vivian earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University). She attended college during the summer while teaching school during the school year.

Vivian married Edwin Drummond on December 7, 1945, after he was discharged from the Marines in November of that year.  He passed away on February 20, 1946.  Vivian married Howard O. Young on April 14, 1949, and he preceded her in death on August 15, 1998.  Howard and Vivian farmed in eastern Putnam County until Howard was injured and paralyzed in 1969.  She left her teaching career to care for Howard until his death 28 years later. Vivian was tough as nails and many times refused help if she thought she could do it herself. She was also a two time cancer survivor.

Vivian was a wonderful homemaker as well as teacher.  She was a great cook, her homemade bread and noodles were well known in Putnam County. If you told Vivian you liked pies the first thing she would ask was, “What Kind”.  All her pie crusts were made from scratch with a sprinkling of love. She always made sure she had a can of Mountain Dew ready for her afternoon break.   Vivian enjoyed making quilts through the Linus program as well as crocheting and making crafts to give away. She always made sure the Martinstown Community building had at least two quilts to auction each year.  Vivian attended Martinstown Church of Christ and enjoyed their fellowship.

She also enjoyed gardening. Many batches of pickles and quarts of vegetables were canned over the years.  Vivian enjoyed hosting events in the community and was the first one to raise her hand if someone needed a gathering place.  She was proud she could seat fifty at her house plus twelve TV-trays. Her greatest ability was her recall of events.  If someone needed to know a date, a person’s middle name, or the name of their sibling she would know.  She remembered the dates of many of her student’s birthdays and could astonish people with her memory of historic dates.

Vivian is survived by her daughter, Deborah (husband William Harris) Young of Folsom, Louisiana.  Granddaughter, Chandra (David) Farmer of Martinstown, Missouri.  Great Grandchildren: Corbin, Emily, and Rondy Farmer.   Grandson,  Alex (Betsey) Young of High Point, North Carolina: Great Grandchildren Mason, Bryan, and “Little” Vivian.   Great grandchildren also include:  Desire’ and Demitria Farmer and Darius Farmer Schultz.  Samantha Roberts, Cody Roberts, and Haley Budig.  A daughter-in-law, Cherie (Clay) Richmond.  A brother-in-law, Leo Shumaker and Vivian’s niece Linda Shumaker, also survive.

In addition to Edwin and Howard, Vivian was also preceded in death by a son, Mark Howard Young and two sisters, Lois Fechtling Shumaker and Irene Fechtling. Irene passed away at home at four years of age.

Funeral services for Vivian Young will be at the Martinstown Church of Christ Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Viewing will be at 1:00 p.m. inside the church. In accordance with guidelines on social distancing, those attending the funeral will hear the service via PA system from their parked vehicles.  Private burial will follow at the Lone Pine Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Howard Young Memorial Educational Fund at Putnam County R-1 School and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO  63565.