Jeanette Younger age 91, of Victoria, Kansas passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Via Christi Village Hays, Kansas surrounded by her family.
She was born November 21, 1932, in Hays, Kansas to Henry A. and Pauline (Dreiling) Schumacher. She married James F. “Jack” Younger on January 26, 1952, in Victoria, Kansas. He preceded her in death on September 3, 1996.
She and her husband owned and operated Younger Oil Service Station in Victoria for 42 years. They started their business in 1952, on Old Highway 40, then moved to their new location on Interstate 70 in 1967 and closed in 1994. Jeanette grew up in Victoria and was a 1950 graduate of Victoria High School. After high school she worked for a few years at the Ellis County Court House as an assistant for the County School Superintendent Tom Roth. She also worked a total of 12 years at St. John’s Rest Home at Victoria in housekeeping and the last two years at Via Christi Village in food services. Jeanette retired at the age of 80. She was a member of The Basilica of St. Fidelis and a former member of the Daughters of Isabella both of Victoria.
Jeanette is known for many fantastic attributes. She was well known for her love of people and enjoyed working with her husband Jack daily at their Service Station, often running it on her own. Her work ethic was contagious.
That love of people prompted Jeanette to constantly plan for her next entertainment opportunity. Community fish fries, corn on the cob feeds, weddings, reunion’s all excited her to see old friends and relatives. (There was never a small first communion party at the Younger house…each gathering outdid the last!) Folks who ever attended a “Younger Wedding” will know she was one of the founding members of the Ladies “Hat Dance” which has lasted for decades.
She was also very fond of travel, and learning about different cultures around the world, but always returning to her beloved Victoria where she was a main figure in the business and social community.
But her greatest love was for family! She taught her family the importance of supporting each other through thick and thin. To this day, that mindset has permeated through 4 generations, and is sure to continue through many more.
Jeanette was the last living survivor of the Henry and Pauline Schumacher family. She is survived by her children, Frank Younger and his wife, Joleene, Victoria, KS; Debra “Deb” Gallagher and her husband, Mike, Liberty, MO; Diane Pfeifer and her husband, Kenny, Victoria, KS; Stan Younger and his wife, Karen, New Braunfels, TX; her grandchildren, Tonya Cole (Mike); Chris Younger (Katina); Jon Gallagher (Vickie Haywood); Sara Wartner (Cory); Eric Pfeifer (Jennifer); Kory Pfeifer (Jessi); Troy Pfeifer (Wendy); Jennifer Wyatt (Ruston); Amanda Breen (Matt); her twenty great grandchildren; her four great great grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Ethel Younger and Det Younger, both of Victoria, KS.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry A. and Pauline; her husband, Jack; her brothers, Clarence; Linus; Elmer; Valery; Norman; and Leland Schumacher; her sisters, Ruby Roth; Viola Schumacher; Jeanie Dome; and Paula Palermo.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. Monday, July 29, 2024, at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis, 900 Cathedral Ave., Victoria, Kansas with Concelebrants, Father Jim Moster O.F.M. Cap. and Father John Schmeidler.
A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 P.M. Sunday, with a visitation from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Sunday, and from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. Monday, all at The Basilica of Saint Fidelis.
The burial will be in St. Fidelis Cemetery Victoria, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to St. John’s Chapel-Via Christi or The Cathedral of the Plains Charitable Fund, Inc.
Services are entrusted to Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main Street, Victoria, Kansas 67671. Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left at guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com.