Bernard Youngquist

Dr. Bernard E Youngquist, age 97, went home to his Lord and Savior on January 2, 2013. Bernard resided at Johanna Shores in Arden Hills for the past several years. The first of nine children, to Edward and Elizabeth Youngquist, he was born December 24, 1915. In January 1941 he was married to Bernice Ojala, in New York Mills MN. Bernice predeceased him in 2001.
After WWII he worked for the University of MN until his retirement in 1983. Bernard served as Superintendent of the Northwest School of Agriculture and the Northwest Agricultural Experiment Station in Crookston MN, from 1956 until 1983. He also served in several capacities at the University of Minnesota in Waseca and Morris. The
"Short Swede", as Bernie liked to call himself holds a BS, MA, and PhD in Rural Education from the University of MN. Bernie served as President of the Red River Valley Winter Shows, the premier agricultural fair held during the winter months in Crookston, MN. He was very active in water resource management and research, serving on the board of the Agassiz Watershed District. In his late eighties he was still consulting at Oxford University in developing improved water resources in the underdeveloped and emerging countries in Africa and the Middle East. Among his many distinguished honors, Dr Youngquist has a building named in his honor on the Campus of the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He also received the Builder of the Valley Hall of Fame Award, and the University of Minnesota Crookston Torch and Shield Award for his dedicated service to agricultural students and farmers in the state of MN. On the University Of Minnesota Campus in Crookston is the Youngquist Prairie Garden, a living memorial to Bernie and Bernice Youngquist and the legacy they left at the Crookston campus, particularly the championing of natural history research. He served for many years as Chairman, Board of Regents, for Golden Valley Lutheran College, and on the board for Mount Carmel Ministries. Bernard was a member of Roseville Lutheran Church.
Survived by his children David Youngquist, (Lauri) of North Oaks, MN, Dr Paul Youngquist (Mary) of Anoka MN, and Dr Mary Youngquist of St Paul, MN. Also survived by his brother Don Youngquist of Mission, TX, and his sister Joanne Harp of Banks OR. Bernie is also survived by 6 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren, who called him," Motorboat Grandpa."
Bernie was proud of his military service and served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy and fought battles in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. In addition to his military duties aboard the USS Salamonie, he was the ship's chaplain. Surviving the Battle of Leyte Gulf, he often told the story of being invited by General MacArthur to be present on the Battleship USS Missouri for the signing of the surrender of the Japanese on September 2, 1945 in Tokyo Bay. He was the recipient of the Philippine Liberation Metal with two battle stars, The Asian Pacific Campaign Medal, the European Campaign Medal, the American Campaign medal and the WII Victory Medal.
A memorial service will be held at 3 PM, January 12, at Johanna Shores, Presbyterian Homes, 3220 Lake Johanna Boulevard, Arden Hills, MN 55112 (651) 631-6000. The memorial service will be in the Fellowship Hall, with a reception celebrating Bernie's life immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to The Youngquist Prairie Garden Fund, an endowment fund held at the University of Minnesota Foundation. The fund provides support for an internship at the University of Minnesota in Crookston, MN.