Allan C. Young

Allan Chandler Young, 81, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at Sanford Medical Center in Bemidji, MN.

Allan was born June 26, 1937 in Devils Lake, ND to Ray Duane and Jane (Mann) Young. He graduated from Devils Lake High School in 1955 and attended the University of North Dakota from 1956 to 1958. During these college years he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the Young Republicans. He also spent several months studying abroad in Vienna, Austria.

In 1957 Allan married Glenda Overbo. They raised their two children in Devils Lake and were later divorced.

Allan’s first career was in the retail business. He worked for 23 years, primarily as general manager, at Manns Department Store, a family owned Devils Lake business started in 1891 by his grandfather, Fred P. Mann Sr.   Allan was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent and many local organizations, including Order of DeMolay, Order of the Masons, York Shriner, Order of the Eastern Star, Elks Lodge, Elks Band, and Chamber of Commerce.

In 1981 Manns closed for business and Allan moved to Bismarck, ND where he worked for 4 years at the North Dakota Department of Instruction. In 1988 Allan resumed his education at the University of North Dakota and graduated in 1994 with a doctorate degree in history. His second career, was as an educator at the University of North Dakota where he taught history classes for 16 years followed by correspondence courses until 2016.

In 1986 Allan married Harleen Lindvall Pfannsmith. They lived in Grand Forks, ND and enjoyed spending summer months at their family cabin on Lake Bemidji, MN.

Throughout Allan’s lifetime he had a strong interest in Republican politics. He was Chairman of the North Dakota Young Republicans for 4 years followed by Chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party from 1972 – 1976. Allan was also a delegate to both State and National Republican conventions.

Allan is survived by his wife of 32 years, Harleen Young, his daughter, Carrie (David) Inwards of Rochester, MN and son, Stuart (Carol) Young of Devils Lake; grandchildren Sarah Jane and Ryan Inwards, Kali, Jaden and Ethan Young, Karissa Scott, Jessica (Rob) Peterson; three step-daughters Kristy (Eric) Pfannsmith Knapp of Elgin, SC, Bonnie Pfannsmith Freije of Edmore, ND, Joanie (Will) Rossow of Flasher, ND; step-grandchildren Sabrina and Abby Rossow, Ashtin, Fallyn and Morgan Freije.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray Duane Young and Jane Mann Young Lamb.

Visitation will be 6 p.m., with Masonic rites at 7 p.m., Friday, September 14 at Gilbertson Funeral Home in Devils Lake, ND. The funeral will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Devils Lake on Saturday, September 15 at 11 a.m. Memorials may be given to the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Devils Lake, ND or to a charity of the donor’s choice.