A Celebration of Life
Some of you have already heard the news.
Many of you have reached out with kind words, prayers, and support.
Russ Youngstrom — co-founder of Youngstrom Safety and Laurel’s partner in both life and mission — passed away recently.
For more than three decades, Russ stood beside Laurel sharing a message that safety isn’t just about rules or procedures. It’s about caring for people, their families, and making sure everyone gets home safe and whole.
Together they traveled across the country speaking to crews, leaders, and organizations — reminding people that safety has to move from the head to the heart.
Below is a message from Laurel sharing this news, expressing gratitude for the support from the safety community, and announcing the details for Russ’s Celebration of Life.
Watch Laurel’s Message
Celebration of Life
A Celebration of Life service will be held in honor of Russ Youngstrom.
Please join us as we celebrate the life of Russ – a devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, and a friend whose care, humor and uplifting spirit reached far beyond himself.
Saturday, March 21st, 2026
2 o’clock in the afternoon
Maple Valley Church
22659 Sweeney Rd SE, Maple Valley WA WA 98038
In Russ’s honor, Hawaiian shirts are encouraged.
This gathering will be a time to remember Russ, share stories, and celebrate the life and impact he had on so many people.
Russ believed deeply that safety was about people — about caring for one another and making sure everyone had the chance to return home to the ones they love.
That message continues.
Share a Memory, Photo, or Message
Many of you worked with Russ, learned from him, laughed with him, or were impacted by the message he and Laurel shared for so many years.
If you would like to honor Russ’s memory, we invite you to share a message, story, or photo.
Your words and memories will help celebrate the life he lived and the impact he made.
Russ’s Legacy
For more than 30 years, Russ and Laurel stood side by side delivering a message that changed the way people think about safety.
Not as a checklist.
Not as a rulebook.
But as a responsibility we carry for each other.
The mission Russ helped build — moving safety from the head to the heart — continues.
And the lives he touched will always be part of that story.
