Ingrid Johanna Hult Trobisch Youngdale
(February 17, 1926 - October 23, 2007)
Born February 17, 1926, in Moshi, Tanganyika, to missionary parents,
Ralph and Gertrude Hult, Ingrid developed early in life a heart for
world missions. When she was four years old, her parents moved to
Springfield and bought a 40-acre fruit farm just outside the city. Many
of her formative childhood years were spent there.
In the fall of 1939 Ingrid entered Luther Academy in Wahoo, Nebraska
and went on to graduate from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, in
1947. In 1949 she was commissioned to go to Cameroon, West Africa, as a
single missionary. In 1952 Ingrid traveled to Germany to marry Pastor
Walter Trobisch, a native of Leipzig. Together they returned to the
pioneer mission field in Cameroon where their five children were born.
By then, Ingrid was fluent in English, French and German.
In 1964 her first book
On Our Way Rejoicing was born, as Ingrid liked to say. Soon
thereafter the family moved to Austria for better schooling for the
children. Family Life Mission
came into being as Ingrid and Walter’s nonprofit organization for
worldwide Christian outreach to families. She tirelessly typed
manuscripts, traveled and taught alongside her husband. Her bestselling
book
The Joy Of Being a Woman captures the message of these
fruitful years.
A year after Walter’s sudden death in 1979, after well over 30 years
in Africa and Europe, Ingrid moved back to the heart of her world, -the
Ozarks. She recorded this homecoming experience in one of her most
moving books,
Keeper of the Springs. Ingrid received awards for her
outstanding achievements from the Ministry of Culture in Salzburg,
Austria, and from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. She became an
advocate and mentor for countless women and men all over the world. Her
spoken and written words deeply touched many lives. These years
were especially fruitful, she published
Learning To Walk Alone (available as a book on
tape read by Ingrid herself),
The Hidden Strength, and
The Confident Woman.
In 1999, at age 73, Ingrid married the Rev. Lauren Youngdale from
Fergus Falls, MN. This late love brought much joy and fulfillment to her
life. Together the newly-weds made their home in Springfield. She was
again able to travel as a married woman and perform a “couple power
ministry” to other couples. Together, she and Lauren held retreats in
Ohio, Minnesota, California and Washington, which was their passion.
They also travelled three times to Europe assisting Family Life Mission
chapters in Germany, Poland and Austria.
When asked what theme might override her life, Ingrid responded:
All the way my Savior leads me.
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
On My Way Home is the title of her last book in English.
Ingrid died after a brief struggle with Pancreatic cancer in her home
in Springfield, Missouri, in the presence of loved ones on October 23,
2007. She left behind her husband, Rev. Lauren Youngdale; seven
siblings, John, Veda Magnuson, Eunice Will, Carl, Gustaf, Mary Orvis and
David; her children, Katrine, Daniel, David, Stephen and Ruth.
She is buried in Rivermonte Memorial Gardens, Springfield, Missouri.
