Lawrence P. Youngblood

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Youngblood, Lawrence P. A gentle soul and role model to the end, Larry, age 86, of Plymouth, MN and Webster, WI, passed away November 20, 2021. Preceded in death by parents Lawrence and Eleanor (nee Womrath), stepfather Harold Sween, and sister Ellen Gray. A graduate of St. Louis Park High School and a devoted alumnus of Carleton College, Larry met his wife Katherine his very first weekend of college and never looked back. With their growing family they lived in Iowa, Arizona, Missouri, California, Texas, and Nebraska before resettling in Minnesota. His long career in the food industry, interrupted only by a stint in the military, began with General Mills, selling 50-pound bags of flour by the carload to supermarkets in NE Iowa. His love for the industry took him to a product manager role at the Pet Milk Co., an officer role at Fairmont Foods, V.P. of customer development at Pillsbury, and culminated in what he called "the best job of my career," as Sr. Vice President at E.A. Sween Co. (aka Deli Express), where he continued to serve on the board after his retirement in 1998. He also gave his time and experience to nonprofits Freedom from Hunger and Urban Ventures, where he served as board chair and board president, respectively, and Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he was a trustee. Larry will be remembered as a kind, generous man with a ready laugh and a warm, engaging smile. A true gentleman and a loving, dedicated husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. From his youth onward, he enjoyed skiing, golf, and sailing. He traveled to all seven continents with his wife and dear friends but was happiest at his quiet lake house in NW Wisconsin. Larry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Katherine (nee Werness); brother Robert Sween (Debbie); sons John (Jennifer), Steven (Sarah), Michael (Mary Ellen); grandchildren Thomas (Meg), Ellie (Brodie), Annie, Paul; great grandson Theodore; many other dear relatives and friends both lifelong and new. Funeral service January 7, 2 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette Avenue, Mpls. Visitation January 6, 3-5 PM at Washburn-McReavy, 5000 W 50th St, Edina. Masking required at both. Interment to be attended by family members at Lakewood Cemetery. Memorials to Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative (beaconinterfaith.org) or Urban Ventures (urbanventures.org). Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy 100

Published on December 12, 2021