The Young family have played a major role in Lansing and Leavenworth County history.  In 1959, Gene Young served on the first Lansing City Council.  Gene and his wife Ada have been active in making their community a better place.  They assisted in the development of the current Lansing Community Library 730 First Terrace Suite 1, aided in saving Lansing's Santa Fe Railroad building from demolition, and many other noble efforts.  In 1978, Gene Young founded Young Sign Company at 326 Choctaw, Leavenworth.  The company is still family owned and operated.  Business hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.  Young Sign Company's work is found in the county and the surrounding area including Arrowhead Stadium and the KU Hall of Fame at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence.

 

Since 1972, Gene and Ada's son Michael has worked as a professional artist.  He has had numerous shows across the United States from San Francisco to New York City.  He has done commissions for large corporations and numerous murals such as the one at the Leavenworth County Courthouse 300 Walnut, Leavenworth.  The mural is in the south side stairwell going up to the second floor.  A print of his painting "Lansing Remembered" is on display at the Lansing Historical Museum, 115 E. Kansas Avenue.  Postcards of the painting are available for purchase in the Museum's gift shop.