Clara Elizabeth Young

Clara Elizabeth Young of Olpe died on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Junction Point Post Acute in Herington, Kansas. She was 98.

Clara was born on April 17, 1928, in Altoona, Kansas, the daughter of John Peter and Clara Anna Gudde Jansen. She married James Arthur Young on November 8, 1947, in Neodesha. He died on June 18, 2003, in Emporia.

Surviving family members include her sons, Robert L. Young (Linda) of Wilmington, North Carolina; Leonard A. Young of Olpe; Wayne R. Young of Madison; Louis J. Young (Julie) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; and Keith A. Young (Lisa) of Rocky Mount, Missouri; daughters, Rita C. Hensel of Hutchinson; Michelle D. Jones (Tracy) of White City; Catherine L. Kasten (Randy) of Herington; and Brenda M. Adams of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; 21 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; sons Clinton and Steven Young; grandsons Andrew and Austin Young; and four sisters.

Clara and James moved to Olpe in 1957, where they raised their 11 children. She was a devoted Catholic, a woman of deep faith and prayer, and she lived her life with an unwavering love for God and for her family. Clara was an avid gardener and quilter. She loved making “Grandma blankets” for everyone in the family, as well as close friends. Her love of sweets and baked goods was shown through the many cakes, pies, cookies, and muffins she made and gave as thank-you gifts to friends and neighbors. In her later years he looked forward to sitting on the front porch and visiting with all those who walked past.

Clara worked for many years at Hopkins Manufacturing. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph Church St. Ann Alter Society, and St. Joseph Quilting Society.

Cremation is planned, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 24, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. The rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 23, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Private inurnment will take place at a later time at St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery in Neodesha, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Life Center or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.