Errol Dean Young 7-27-1946 – 3-12-2018

Errol Young was born to Donald and Nellie (Anderson) Young July 27, 1946 in Nebraska City, Nebraska. He passed away March 12, 2018 in Blair, Nebraska.

He was raised on a farm north of Dunbar, Nebraska. He was the third of ten children. The family moved to Omaha in 1955. He graduated from Omaha Benson High School in 1964 where he excelled in gymnastics. After high school he pursued vocational schooling for electronics and engineering. Shortly after that he joined the US Marine Corp Reserve, where he was awarded multiple rifle marksman honors. His job there was large machinery operator and he helped them develop a better rigging system for that equipment. He was medically discharged a few years later. He married his first wife Francene Buda in February of 1968, lasting 4 years. His first daughter Amy Beth was born later that year. Andrea Marie, his second daughter, was born August 26, 1969.

Errol started working in metal manufacturing for Vickers as a machinist. In 1973 he took a job with Omaha Fixture. He applied for a position in their wood working department, but after learning of his metal experience, was hired to head their new metal division.

Errol met the love of his life, Arija Kurtzuba at Omaha Fixture and they were married December 20, 1974. Arija already had two daughters of her own; Ingrid Marie, born July 29, 1969 and Marcy Lynn, born November 25, 1970. Although he never legally adopted them, he always thought of them as his own. Errol and Arija then had one son, Eric Andrew, born June 6, 1978.

Errol and two of his brothers, Russel and Wesley, started ERW Enterprises in Omaha in 1986, working part time until he ended his tenure with Omaha Fixture in 1988. In 1989 ERW was incorporated, and while the trends were going to cheaper imported metal store fixtures, his vision of custom high-quality fixtures with the utmost attention to detail were being realized. Over the next few years they grew the business, securing national retailers and small local shops alike. He invented a new way to quickly and securely fasten metal fixtures together. He held two patents for those lug systems. In 1993 they had outgrown the shop on 81st and Maple in Omaha and moved the business to Tekamah, Nebraska. Over the next few years Errol bought out his brothers and became the sole proprietor of ERW MFG, INC.

Errol and Arija moved to Tekamah in 1996. Errol loved the small-town lifestyle, as it fit well with his hobbies and values. He quickly became involved in his new community. He was a member of the Tekamah Chamber of Commerce, served on the Board of Adjustments and even ran for mayor. He supported the Burt County Fair and the Tri-County Saddle Club’s Hoot Gibson Rodeo. He loved to hunt and loved his hunting dogs. He enjoyed fishing and camping with family. He also took pride and enjoyed working in his lawn, landscaping and iris flower gardens.

He also enjoyed his cars. He loved to drive fast. He was a member of the Classic Cruisers car club in Tekamah, which meant he also had to drive slow at least once a year in the 4th of July parade. In 1980 another dream was realized when he bought a kit to fabricate a 1952 MG-TD from the frame up. His attention to detail was rewarded by winning the 2017 World of Wheels custom build first place trophy with his 1952 MG-TD replica.

He will be remembered as a hard worker, never stopping until the job was done right. An innovator, using his brilliant mind to quickly solve problems and always coming up with better ways to accomplish things. A perfectionist, always striving to be the best and never accepting anything less. Last but certainly not least, as a comedian often spurting out a snappy one-liner or joke in his signature quirky style.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Donald and Nellie Young, wife, Arija Young; brother, Danny Young; sister, Sally Dobney; brothers-in-law, Bruce Branigan and Nathan Anderson.

Survivors include two daughters: Amy (David) Tarvin of Omaha, Andrea (Scott) Clark of Omaha; two stepdaughters: Ingrid Reynolds of Omaha, Marcy Kurtzuba of Omaha; son: Eric (Helen) Young of Blair; sisters: Sharon (Dick) Mann, Pamela Branigan, Valerie (Mike) Allmon, Dee Anderson (Pat Dudzinski); three brothers: Russell (Susan) Young, Welsey (Elaine) Young, and Joel (Kemmy) Young; 13 grandchildren; 32 nieces and nephews.

Memorial Visitation 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Friday, March 16 Pelan Funeral Services Tekamah, 1103 J Street , Tekamah, NE 68061; 2:00 PM Saturday March 17 Emmanuel Lutheran Church 210 S 12th Street, Tekamah Saturday March 17. Family will be receiving friends. Military Honors will be conducted at the church.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~