Daniel J. "Danny" Youra

Daniel J. "Danny" Youra, 86, of Fond du Lac, passed away on July 23, 2008, at his Grand Court residence. Born on December 9, 1921, in Kewaunee, WI, he was the son of Frank and Lillian Kraynik Youra. Daniel graduated from Two Rivers High School in 1940, and was manager of the football and basketball teams during his junior and senior years. While in Two Rivers, he worked at Metalware and Aluminum Goods. He received his Machinist Certificate at the vocational school in Two Rivers. He and three friends used his Dad's car planned to go to Milwaukee and apply for jobs. They heard G & L in Fond du Lac was hiring, so they applied and all were hired on the same day in 1942. He stayed at the YMCA and hitchhiked to Two Rivers on the weekends while he was employed with Giddings & Lewis. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in September of 1942. He received his Airplane Mechanic Certificate from the Northup Factory in California. He had enough service time on the B-26 bomber, so he got right in line for the P-61 Black Widow bomber, the first to have radar equipment. He served in Iwo Jima during WW II as the crew chief for the 549 Night Fighter Squadron. He received his honorable discharge as a Tech Sergeant in 1945. He married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Beaton, on January 29, 1944, in Two Rivers. After service, he continued his employment with G & L for 43 years, retiring in 1985. He was on the G & L basketball and bowling teams, and also participated in the golf league. Mr. Youra was active with the Boy Scouts from 1949 to 1969, and served as Scout Master while his sons were in school. He was awarded the St. George award in 1964. He and Ruth enjoyed 17 wonderful years of retirement in Tucson. They were active in the Wisconsin Club, Tucson Estates newsletter and delivery, and active in the Neighborhood Watch program driving the patrol car throughout their retirement park. He was always available to help neighbors and friends with various projects. He was Dan the Handyman. He enjoyed watching a variety of sports on television, and getting hugs and kisses from his great-grandchildren. He and Ruth moved back to Fond du Lac in 2002. Dan was a charter member of Holy Family, Sacred Heart Parish, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #664. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruth, two sons, Daniel J. (Carolyn) Youra of Pt. Hadlock, WA, and Robert (Juan) Youra of Tucson, AZ; two daughters, Bonnie (Daryl) Krug and Mary (Pat) Mangan, both of Fond du Lac; his grandchildren, Leslie (Kevin) Jaber-Wilson and their children, Breanne, Drew, Eli, Ian, and Tanner; Dean (Carie) Jaber and their children Ali, Ella, and Reagan; TJ (Kevin) Twohig and their children, Ryan and Ireland, all of Fond du Lac, Murphy Mangan of Milwaukee. Erin (Flynn) Carey of Phoenix, Donovan Youra, Jeremy (Lisa) Youra and their children Ciera, Caleb, Cara, and Cayden of Tucson. He is further survived by his stepgrandchildren Jackie (Ed) Braatz and their children Steven and Heather of Eden, Ken (Angie) Krug and their children Caden, Keegan, and Kloey of St. Peter, and Bob (Erin) Krug and their children Jonah and Nora of Milwaukee. He is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-law George and Barney Beaton, Walter Haase, Betty Beaton, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Evelyn, her two late husbands, Emanuel Siudzinski and Charlie Maigatter, a brother, Alvin Youra and his late wife, Verna, brothers and sisters-in-law, Margaret Beaton, Katherine Simono and her late husband, Gerard, Edna Mae and her late first husband, Harold Radtke, Richard Beaton and his late first wife, Doris, a niece, Judy Koch, and a nephew, Jim Simono.



Visitation for Mr. Daniel J. "Danny" Youra will be on Saturday, July 26, 2008, from 8:30 to 10:30 am at Sacred Heart Church, 232 S. Peters Avenue. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am at the church. Rev. Patrick Heppe will officiate. Cremation has taken place. Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A memorial has been established in Mr. Youra's name.