Mary Sue Watters Youngren

72, of rural Abingdon, formerly of Galesburg, died at 5:20 a.m. Saturday, August 22, 2009 in OSF St. Mary Medical Center. Born November 19, 1936 in Galesburg to W. Percy and Hazel (Riley) Watters, she married David R. Youngren on November 15, 1958 in Galesburg. She is survived by her husband as well as three daughters, Jane Pacheco (Darren Stevenson) of Galesburg, Marcy (Tom) Simkins of Galesburg, Cheryl (Steve) Bloomer of Madrid, Iowa, and one son, Bill Youngren of Galesburg. Mary Sue's pride and joy were her 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, Jake (Brittany) Gibson of East Peoria and their children Brence and Brooklyn, Adam and Alex Pacheco of Galesburg, John Simkins of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jane Simkins of Galesburg, Amanda, Cassie, and Kaleb Bloomer of Madrid, Iowa, Stephanie Bloomer currently deployed with the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan, Billy Youngren of Abingdon, and Asa and Alex Stevenson of Wataga. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Rita Saenz and Linda Kasparie. They are survived by their husbands, Paul Saenz of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Gus Kasparie of Carson City, Nevada. Other surviving relatives include three sisters in-law, Marian Wright of Galesburg, Patsy Bonney of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Wanda Youngren of Elgin, Illinois, a brother-in-law, John Youngren of Kure Beach, North Carolina and numerous cousins and friends. Over the years, Mary Sue was mother to many animals including Rex the German Shepherd and a Mastiff named Harley who still patrols the grounds on the family farm east of Abingdon. In her early life, she lived near Wataga until the Watters family moved to the farm just south of Henderson in the late 40's. She attended Wataga schools. Mary Sue then went on to forge many life long friendships at Corpus Christi High School in Galesburg where she was Homecoming Queen for the Class of 1954. She and Dave raised their own family in Henderson where Mary Sue owned and operated Youngren's Grocery. She was also a bookkeeper at Ferris Furniture for several years. In 1977, they moved to the farm east of Abingdon, where Mary Sue welcomed the daily trials of farm life while maintaining a variety of day jobs in Galesburg including bookkeeper at Mayflower Company and as a pharmacy technician at Family Pharmacy, Burgland Drug, Cottage Hospital, and HyVee. She was also a cleaning person at Prompt Care, Farmland Foods, and the Galesburg Clinic. In her spare time, she tended bar and kept the books for Mark Pacheco and her crowd of friends at the Patio in Galesburg. Mary Sue experienced a brief stint as a licensed realtor in the early 80's and enjoyed remodeling houses in Galesburg with her friend, Connie Miyler. She found great joy in a game of chance as was evidenced by her die-hard support of Chicago sports teams including the Bears, Bulls, and Cubs while forever encouraging family members to join her on sojourns to Nevada and the local riverboats. Her family loved that she spoke freely and her passionate disdain for train whistles and "favorite" politicians was common fodder for visitors who frequented the Youngren home on Mulberry Street in Galesburg during recent years. Her last months were spent back on the farm near Abingdon where she lived out her days surrounded by good neighbors, peaceful nights, and an adoring family. Cremation has been accorded. A celebration of Mary Sue's life will be held on Wednesday, August 26 at the home of Tom and Marcy Simkins, 927 North Prairie Street in Galesburg from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Jude, Easter Seals, or the Abingdon Food Pantry. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Abingdon Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

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