Erma Jean Young, 94, formerly of Elkhorn, WI, passed away peacefully at Library Terrace Assisted Living in Kenosha, WI, on February 17, 2026. Most knew her as Jean, but she was Erma Jean to the Bierma side of the family. She was the daughter of the late Dick D. and Nellie Viola (Myers) Bierma.
Born on July 24, 1931, in Holyoke, CO, Jean was the only one in her family born in a hospital. She was the tenth of twelve children and grew up in Nebraska, attending schools in Madrid and Sutherland before graduating from Sutherland High School in 1949.
On June 17, 1951, she married Layne Allen Young in Sutherland, NE, and they shared nearly 60 years together before his passing. The couple began their life on the Young family farm in O’Fallons, NE, then moved to Hershey before a brief relocation to South Dakota. They later returned to Nebraska, settling in North Platte, and eventually made their home in Wisconsin. In 1965, they moved to Portage, WI, followed by a final move to Elkhorn, WI, in 1966. Remarkably, Jean moved 20 times after getting married.
Throughout her life, Jean’s primary role was caring for her children and grandchildren, though she held a variety of jobs. As a young girl, she worked for the Arnold family in their home and at Arnold Drug Store in Sutherland. She also soldered parts for airplane electronics at Goodall in Sutherland. Later, she served as a clerk at several department stores, including Schweser’s and Fritchman’s in Nebraska, and Barton’s in Elkhorn. She particularly enjoyed her time as the Janesville Gazette “paper lady,” where carriers picked up bundles of newspapers.
Jean was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir and served in various roles. She took great pleasure in tending her flowers, sending cards, and writing letters to stay connected with family and friends. Her lifelong pride was in her baking, especially cookies, which she loved sharing with others. She also cherished music, particularly hymns.
Jean is survived by her children: Allen (Karel) Young, Brian Young, and Carolyn (Jeff) Kostrzewa; daughter-in-law Michele Young; grandchildren Jay (Darcie) Young, Brad Young, Rachel (Troy) Lipker, Matthew Kostrzewa, Jackson Young, and Cassidy Young; great-grandchildren Emmett Lipker and Riley Lipker; and many special relatives and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Dan Young, and siblings Marie Day, Chester Bierma, Lawrence Bierma, Lester Bierma, Mabel Lemmon, Agnes Hegwood, Merle Bierma, Marjorie Arnold, Charles Bierma, Norma Scofield, and Gayle Bierma.
A special thank you to the staff and residents of Library Terrace Assisted Living, who provided Jean with friendship, fun, care, and support in her final years. You became her extended family and friends.
A funeral service will be held for Jean on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home and Crematory, 730 N. Wisconsin Street, Elkhorn, WI 53121. Visitation will precede the service from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Following the funeral, Jean will be laid to rest at Roselawn Memory Gardens. Memorials may be made in Jean’s name to Hospice Alliance, 10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd., Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158. An online guestbook is available at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home and Crematory of Elkhorn, WI.
