John Anton Yngve

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Yngve, John Anton Age 94, passed away 21 May, 2019 after a life of love for his family and for his community. He touched thousands of lives, bettering all who knew him through his good humor and his wisdom, and contributed immensely to the public good through his participation in eighteen public offices and commissions. From his service on the Plymouth Village Planning Commission and Village Council (1959-1962), to his three terms as a Minnesota State Representative (1963-1968), membership on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents (1969-1975) and his Chairmanship of the Metropolitan Transit Commission (1979-1982), he strived, in his own words, "..to make government work a little better." Never one to shirk the difficult task, his tenure on the Minnesota Board of Regents was characterized by his commitment to safety and order during a period of major demonstrations against the Vietnam War on the university campus. His particular skill, however, lay in his ability to find the common path toward community betterment. As a state representative, he helped sponsor a major effort to de-criminalize mental health sufferers and a precedent-setting bill to establish unemployment compensation. John's commitment to public service started at an early age. He volunteered to serve in the US Army Air Corps during WWII and was assigned as a meteorologist on Okinawa during the conflict. After graduating from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1949, he entered the practice of law in St Louis Park with his father, Justice of the Peace Anton Yngve, his mother, Esther Yngve, and his brother Albert Yngve. His acumen and personal integrity led him to positions of leadership in business. He became President of Nortronics, Inc in 1967, Chairman of Bondhus Corporation in 1990 and Chairman/founder of Cincinnatus, Inc in 1986. His success in business and devotion to community improvement led to his appointment by Governor Arne Carlson to chair Minnesota Technology, Inc. (1991-2002) where he focused state resources on leveraging technology to create business success. Despite his immensely demanding public life, he was the ever-present guiding and loving star to his family, especially his youngest son, John Per, who was tragically lost to cancer in 1999 after a life-long battle with illness. He is survived by his brother, Albert Yngve, sons Rolf, Aron, Hans and Hal, grandchildren Kaia, Reed, Elliet, Anton and the light of his life, spouse Carrie Yngve who brought five step-daughters into his family, Linda, Nancy, Kathleen, Joni, Janet and grandchildren Mark, Jeanna, Kelly, Jacob, Hannah, Emma, Kaleb, Conner, Lexi and Dustin. Memorials to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and The University of Minnesota Foundation. Washburn-McReavy.com Glen Haven Chapel 763-533-8643

Published on May 26, 2019