Mary Jean Young, 89

Mary Jean passed peacefully with family by her side Nov. 19, 2022, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.

Mary Jean was born April 23, 1933, to Dorothy McLeod Knochenhauer and Karl Knochenhauer in Denver, Colo. Mary Jean was their second child and joined her older brother, Jim. In the next two years, sister Margie and brother Tom added to the family of four. The family lived in Denver, Colo., Columbus, Ohio, finally venturing out west to San Mateo, Calif.

Mary Jean had a passion for learning. She earned her Diploma of Nursing from St Mary’s College of Nursing, San Francisco, followed by her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at University of San Francisco. She continued with her Master of Science in Nursing Education from University of Colorado, and followed up with post-graduate studies at University of Colorado, Northern Arizona University, University of Idaho and Eastern Washington University. She was a licensed nurse in California, Colorado, Idaho, Washington and Arizona. Mary Jean worked as a Coordinator of Continuing Education for Health professionals in North Idaho, and was a Instructor of Nursing at North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene Idaho and Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz. After retiring from teaching, Mary Jean enjoyed being a staff nurse at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Boswell Hospital in Sun City, Ariz.

Mary Jean met the love of her life, Gene, at the University of Colorado while pursuing her master’s degree. They were married Thanksgiving Day in 1961. Gene and Mary Jean made their home through the years in California, Idaho and Arizona. They were blessed with three children, Barbara, John and Nick.

Gene and Mary Jean had many adventures through the years. Gene introduced Mary Jean to life in the country. She loved riding horses with Gene and tolerated all the animals that they raised through the years. They loved to travel, including many road trips to see family and friends in their RV. They enjoyed the times their older grandchildren, Nicko, Hailey, Max and Madison were able to join them. There was always a cocker spaniel companion through the years that traveled with them. The last trip before Gene passed was to Europe in 2003. They visited cities in Austria, Germany and Italy and the air base in Germany, where Gene was stationed in the Air Force.

Mary Jean was an avid reader. She enjoyed swimming, knitting, sewing, trying new recipes for Gene, listening to music – crooners to jazz to classical to country. Christmas was her favorite time of year and making all the Christmas goodies and family recipes — McLeod Parker House rolls and Maude S cake.

Mary Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Gene Young, son Nick Young, parents Dorothy and Karl, siblings Jim Knochenhauer, Margie and Clem O’Neill. She is survived by her daughter Barbara (Jon) Zimmermann, Richland, Wash., son John (Connie) Young, Hayden, Idaho. Daughter-in-law Rita George, Goodyear, Ariz. Grandchildren Nicko Young, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Hailey (Sean) Omar, Bartlett Ill., Max Zimmermann, Waitsburg, Wash., Madison (Ryan) Wyatt Kennewick, Wash., Nicholas D. Young, Gilbert, Ariz., Maryssa Lovoi, Hayden Idaho, Christian Young, Hayden, Idaho. Great Grandson Kai Omar, Bartlett Ill. Brother Tom (Carol) Knochenhauer, Cameron Park, Calif., and Sister-in-law Martha Knochenhauer, San Mateo, Calif., and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life in conjunction with her son, Nick, who passed six days before her, will be held in the spring 2023. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to North Idaho College Foundation – Mary Jean Young Memorial Scholarship for Nursing Program.