Obituary of Dianne Lyn Young

Dianne Lyn (Manniko) Young, 73, passed away Thursday, April 9, 2020 at Bayfront Seven Rivers Hospital in Crystal River, Florida. She was born February 4, 1947 in Conneaut, Ohio, the daughter of the late Robert "Tim" and Ruth Manniko. She attended Conneaut High School and graduated in 1965. She earned her bachelor's degree at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, and obtained her master's degree from Edinboro University in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. During her college years she spent her summers working in Maine and also served as a bank teller, but spent most of her career as a teacher. She married Ronald Young at Bethany Lutheran Church in Ashtabula, Ohio, on April 3, 1971. Growing up on Lake Erie, Dianne and her sisters and brother enjoyed ice skating in the winter and going to the beach in the summer. In high school she was a majorette and was active in band, playing the clarinet and oboe. When she went to Wittenberg, she joined Kappa Delta sorority and developed lifelong friendships with her sorority sisters, meeting up for milestone birthdays beginning in 1997. Her two children were always her priority and she spent lots of time shuttling them to activities—from piano lessons to travel baseball, where she enjoyed being the scorekeeper for many years. A true sports lover, Dianne was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Indians, and Cleveland Browns fan—hardly ever missing a game on TV and attending several in person with her family. She loved reading, knitting, bird-watching, gardening, playing piano, and meteorology. She also enjoyed computer games and playing cards – teaching her grandson Kian how to play poker during their last visit together. She enjoyed carrying on the family tradition of baking her delicious nisua bread each holiday season - teaching her granddaughter Finley the secret family recipe for Finley's first Christmas. She also loved animals, taking care of many pets over the years. Dianne and her husband Ron were RV enthusiasts. True snowbirds, for the past several years, they spent six months out of every year at their favorite RV resort in Crystal River, Florida. While there, Dianne loved playing bingo, Texas Hold'em, mahjong, and visiting with her friends. Most importantly, Dianne was a woman of strong faith. She was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Conneaut, Ohio, serving as a pastoral assistant, singing in the choir, serving in the bells ensemble, and participating in the quilting club. She and Ron were also active in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Crystal River, Florida during their months down south, where they both sang in the choir. Dianne is survived by her husband, Ron; her children, Bethany (Joe) Hardy and Chip (Megan) Young; her two grandchildren, Kian Hardy and Finley Young; her sisters, Cheryl (Mick) Poff, Debra (Phil) Gruzosky, and Karen (Harlan) Smith; her brother, Kevin Manniko; her sister-in-law, Judy Young; and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, the April 16, 2020 memorial service may be viewed at the following link, https://youtu.be/mbV6Dqu0YlE (copy and past link in web browser) At a later date when everyone can gather safely, a Celebration of Life gathering will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Conneaut, Ohio. Memorial contributions in Dianne's name may be sent by mail to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 876 Grove Street, Conneaut, Ohio, 44030. Alternately, online contributions may be made in Dianne's name to the American Nurses Association's Coronavirus Relief Fund. Go to givetonursing.networkforgood.com to make an online donation. Thompson Smith Nesbitt Funeral Home, 345 Main Street, Conneaut, Ohio, is handling arrangements. Online obituary and condolences can be found at www.thompsonsmithnesbitt.com