Laurene Teresa (Johnson) Young

     Laurene Teresa Young (known as Teresa), age 84, of Riverside, Missouri, formerly of Harrisburg, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 9:23 PM, surrounded by her loving family.

     Teresa was born on June 24, 1941, in Herod, Illinois, to Bruce Lawrence and Lela Bernice (Stuby) Johnson. She married Charles Herbert Young on June 10, 1961, and they had 2 children.  Charles’s job with the Federal Bureau of Prisons moved the family over the next 20 years to California, Oklahoma, Maryland, Texas, Arizona and Missouri.  Teresa and Charles shared a life together until his passing on May 12, 1989.

     Teresa devoted much of her life to her family and home, occasionally pursuing work outside the home. She began her career as a teller at First National Bank of Harrisburg and went on to work at several other banks and retail businesses. She also served as a receptionist at Farmers Insurance in Marion, IL. Teresa was a member of Hope Church in Kansas City, Missouri, where her faith in Jesus was a steady and sustaining presence throughout her life.

She had a gift for sewing and piecing together quilts.  

      She found joy in flower gardening, birdwatching, traveling to new places, especially national parks, and learning about culture around her.  For many years, she gave her time generously making baby blankets for the local hospital and as a volunteer at the Southern Platte Emergency Assistance Food Pantry.  Teresa was known above all for her kindness and being a dedicated wife, loving mom, caring sister, good friend and amazing “Granny.” 

Teresa is survived by her daughter, Julie Rule, and husband Jason, of Riverside, Missouri; her son, Alan Young, and wife Ranjana, of Chicago, Illinois; three grandchildren, Charles V. Young, Lucy Rule and Luke Rule; her sister, Linda Gribble, and husband Lannie, of Marion, Illinois; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles; and her brothers, Benny Lawrence Johnson, Lawrence Devon Johnson, and Russell Leon Johnson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Stricklin Funeral Home, with visitation from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Sunset Lawn Cemetery.  Teresa loved bright colors and requested they be worn at her service.   

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an organization Teresa held dear, Bangla Hope Children’s School. After traveling to India many years ago, Teresa did what was so natural to her, just helping one person around her, and began a child sponsorship with the organization.  Contributions may be left at the funeral home or mailed to PO Box 1090, Milton Freewater, OR 97862. (https://banglahope.org/). Condolences for Teresa’s family may be shared on her obituary page at www.stricklinfuneralhome.com.

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