Jon Christian Youngquist

Jon Christian Youngquist, beloved husband, father and Grandpa, passed away after battling Parkinson’s disease, on March 27, 2025, surrounded by his family at the Beaver City Manor, Beaver City, NE at the age of 86. He was born February 24, 1939, to Joseph and Lela (Christian) Youngquist in Oxford, Nebraska.

Jon attended Beaver City Schools through his sophomore year and then attended Lincoln Southeast graduating with the Class of 1957. He was active in FFA and competed in gymnastics (Palma horse). He attended 2 years of college at UNL majoring in engineering. Jon decided after those years that he would rather be able to build things with his hands instead of just on paper. He joined the National Guard serving 6 years as a munition's specialist and photographer.

On August 2, 1964 Jon married the love of his life, Mary C. Hager. Together they built a wonderful life and raised three children: Gina, Tiffany and Kody.

Jon became interested in flying airplanes as a young man with the influence of Howard Hewitt whom he assisted in maintaining and improving the former Beaver City Airport, listed in directories as Hewitt’s Airport. He became a pilot flying small aircraft and owning several planes as well as building a BD-5 in his basement. He was a member of Flying Farmers of America and attended numerous events. Jon could be seen flying around Beaver City on the way to get equipment parts, checking fields, giving rides, assisting Furnas County Sheriff’s Office or just having fun. If you ever flew with Jon, you could see his love for it, and he was known to do small aerial “stunts” with his passengers while wearing that crooked ornery grin. Jon was a lifelong member of the Beaver City First United Methodist Church, serving on numerous committees, running the sound system and being Mr. Fix-it. He was a member of several different groups over the years ranging from Experimental Aircraft Association to The Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Association. Jon had a love for working with wood. He designed and built their family home with the help of his Grandfather Arch Christian and Carl DeVries. Jon decided that he needed his own sawmill and drying kiln, so he built one to use in the reclaiming of wood to create his own lumber. He went on to utilize these materials to make beautiful bowls, jewelry boxes, furniture and other pieces. Jon passed his love for wood and woodworking on to his son and grandsons. Jon was a progressive farmer, developing high quality Alfalfa hay. His love for technology, computers and gadgets could be seen in his equipment and farm operations. Jon was featured in several farming periodicals highlighting these accomplishments.

Jon enjoyed time spent with family, traveling, camping and playing games. He taught his kids and grandkids how to play pool, shoot guns, archery, fish and how to drive anything with wheels from go-carts to semi-trucks and farm equipment in addition to flying planes. He was always a patient and supportive teacher.

Jon was preceded in death by his Grandparents: Emil and Anna Youngquist, Arch and Mary (Beeler) Christian, his parents: Joe and Lela (Christian) Youngquist, his parents-in-law: Harold and Golda (Heller) Hager, younger Brother Lynn Youngquist, brother and sisters-in-law: Imojean and Kenneth Hoyt, Gladys and Don Everett, Phyllis and Duane Dewey, Vanetta and Daryl Olson, Ronald Hager and nephews: Kerry Strayer (infant), David Olson, Kerby Strayer and Alan Olson and numerous other relatives.

Jon is survived by his wife Mary, daughters: Gina (Bruce) Keenportz, Tiffany Youngquist (Steve Boxler), his son Kody (Katie) Youngquist, Grandsons: Jon Keenportz, Zach Keenportz, Connor Boxler, Austin Youngquist, Carson Youngquist and Great-grandchildren: Olivia, Hadley and Bentley Keenportz, brother-in-law Phillip (Mildred) Hager, sisters-in-law Doris (Lee) Strayer, Sharon Youngquist, Helen Hager and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Beaver City EMTs, Beaver City Manor, Parkinson’s Research Foundation.