Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
A memorial service in memory of Harold E. “Buddy” Yungbluth, Jr. was held Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal. Burial was in Willow Creek Cemetery. Warner Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.
Harold Everette Yungbluth, Jr. (Buddy) born July 27, 1944 in Spencer. He was the son of Harold E. Yungbluth, Sr. and Helen Yungbluth (Greene). He was the oldest of four children to include brothers David Yungbluth and Steve Yungbluth, and sister Pam Yungbluth. He grew up on a small farm between Linn Grove and Royal. Buddy graduated from the Greenville-Rossie school in 1962.
He entered the service on June 1, 1963 and took his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He went to Fort Ord in Monterey, Calif. for Construction Engineer School. He served in Vietnam from May 1965 to December 1965 when he was discharged.
He did heavy equipment work from 1972-1979 during which time he met Linda Meyer. They married on June 19, 1976 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson and then moved to Royal in July of 1976 into the home in which they still resided. This marriage blessed them with three children, Dana Soleta (Brian), Chris (Tarica) and Andy (Kristun), 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Jacob (Sarah, Eleanor), Jaden (Nate), Jessalyn (Cameron), Jarret, Shalea (Tyler), Emma, Kayla, Brayden, Kolton and Paisley, as well as his bonus grandkids, Riley, Lexi, Isaac, Leo and Natalie.
Buddy always had a servant’s heart, starting his service with the Royal Fire Department in June of 1973. He was instrumental in developing a more advanced rescue unit and helping with obtaining equipment and training first responders, and serving in various leadership positions including fire chief. He retired with 50 years of service in June of 2023. With that role he also served on several other county boards.
He also served on the board for Royal Boy Scout Troop 121, helping both of his sons achieve their Eagle Scout. In addition, Buddy was a member of the Royal Lions Club since Nov. 1, 1979, making him a 45-year member, and was often a top fundraiser for the club. In addition, he served on the Royal Museum board for 20 years. He remained active in the Royal American Legion Goodwin Post #248 and at the time of his death was the post adjutant.
Buddy had so many joys in life. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was always seeking more information about, watching on TV and playing poker. He also enjoyed Allis Chalmers tractors and had restored three and was working on a fourth. One of his restored tractors was originally owned by his father on the family farm. He and his grandkids often even travelled up to the Orange Spectacular in Hutchinson, Minn. He valued family time as often as he could get it and could often be found attending grandkids’ games and attending special events near and far.
Harold “Buddy” Yungbluth passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 at the Spencer Hospital with family present after a battle with liver and kidney cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Helen Yungbluth; parents-in-law, Kenneth and Phyllis Meyer; his brother, David Yungbluth; and his sister, Pam Yungbluth.
