Pearl Roberta Young

PEARL ROBERTA YOUNG

Pearl Roberta Young, age 96, of Prairie Village, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Pearl was born in Stilwell, Kansas on February 13, 1929 - along with her twin sister, Merle - the daughter of William Delaus Huffman and Anna Elizabeth (Cruickshank) Huffman. She was the youngest of seven children; her siblings Russell, John, Madalyn, Bill, Emma, and Merle, all of whom preceded her in death.

Pearl was married twice in her lifetime. She married Bernie Young in 1946 and that marriage produced her first-born child, Rita. After divorcing Bernie, several years later, she married Charley Dowdy in 1949, and this marriage produced three children: Janet, Sandra, and Michele. Her marriage to Charley lasted until his death in 1971. In 1998 she reunited with Bernie, and they were happily married for fifteen years until Bernie's death in 2013. She remained a widow until her passing.

Pearl worked for many years as a government contractor, including at Northrop where she proudly worked on the buildout of the first B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Pearl loved singing, dancing, listening to music, gardening, painting, jewelry making, knitting, fishing, bowling, and most of all spending time with her family and friends.

Pearl is survived by her three daughters: Rita Beebe (Ken), Sandra Dowdy, and Michele Goetz; eight grandchildren: Sal Monteleone (Camellia), Lisa Monteleone, Christi Blackburn, Aaron Mahoney, Ashley Mahoney, Nathan Surrell (Amber), Jessica Hundtoft (Jeremy), and Dakota Goetz; nineteen great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and siblings, Pearl is preceded in death by both her husbands, her daughter Janet Uman, and grandson Brian Knox.

Services will be held Friday, November 14, 2025, at Cullen Funeral Home, Inc. (612 W. Foxwood Drive, Raymore, Missouri). Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. with funeral services at 12:00 p.m. She will then be laid to rest at Pleasant Valley Cemetery (9501 W 159th Street, Overland Park, Kansas).

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to Ascend Hospice and Palliative Care of Overland Park (4550 W 109th Street, Suite 210, Overland Park, Kansas 66211) or Alzheimer's Association (8001 Conser, Suite 240, Overland Park, Kansas 66204).

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278