Emerald Don Yungbluth

Services are pending.

Emerald Don Yungbluth Jr. age 87 passed away peacefully at home on August 28, 2025 in Spencer, IA.

He was born to Emerald Don Yungbluth Sr. and Marcella Schoer Yungbluth on December 1, 1937 in Royal, IA.

Don graduated from Royal High School in 1956. Don attended Barber College in Sioux City IA. He entered the Navy Reserves in 1957 serving through 1959. Then, he attended a two year college on the GI bill. He graduated with an Associate of Arts degree. Don’s passion was barbering, which he did in Royal, Jefferson, Melvin and Sioux Rapids and while in the service on the U.S.S. Pine Island ship. Don worked part time until the age of 80 years old as he enjoyed visiting with people. Other jobs included being a milk man at the Spencer Dairy and a rural mail carrier

Don entered the Naval Reserves in July 1957. He attended basic training and was stationed at San Diego, California. He embarked on the USS Pine Island and sailed to Hawaii, Japan, Okinawa, Taiwan, Phillipines, Guam, and Thailand.

He was united in marriage on December 28th, 1958 to Avis Hollenbeck Yungbluth. They were blessed with four children-Michael, Linda, Barbara, and Julie.

Dons other interests included the Iowa Great Lakes Antique Car Club and Sioux Rapids Historical Association. He was a past board member for the Sioux Rapids Retirement Center and head usher for First United Church for many years.

Don enjoyed fishing, gardening, dancing, drawing, and playing cards. He volunteered at Grandpa’s barn at the Clay County Fair and the GACO, Greater Area Community Outreach.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 66 years, Avis of Spencer, Iowa, son Michael of Milford, Iowa and daughters Linda (Jeffery) Olson of Cookville, Tennessee , Barbara (Roger) Peters of Spencer, Iowa and Julie Yungbluth of Milford, Iowa, eight grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and brother in law and sister in law, Wayne and Wanda Hollenbeck.

Preceding him in death were his grandparents, parents, and brother in law and sister in law Dale and Cathy Hollenbeck.