Ellen Kathleen Young
1943 - 2020
Ellen Kathleen Young passed away
peacefully on December 17, 2020, after a valiant, 3 week battle with
acute myeloid leukemia.
Kathy was born in Newton, KS on
February 3, 1943 to Clem and Margaret White.
Kathy attended Pittsburg State
University in Pittsburg, KS. This is where she met the love of her
life Wayne Young. She saw Wayne playing football on the TV during the
1961 Camilla Bowl and knew she was going to marry that man. Wayne saw
Kathy walking through the student union, in a nice sweater, and knew
he was going to marry her! They were married on July 26, 1964 in
Newton, KS.
Kathy's passion in life was teaching
young children to read. She taught first grade for 25 years and then
after receiving her Masters in Reading from the University of
Colorado she became an intervention reading teacher. She taught in
Colorado Springs for 25 years.
Wayne and Kathy retired in 2003 and
built their dream home in Estes Park, Colorado. They loved hiking in
the national park and sitting on the deck watching the birds. Family
and friends loved visiting Estes and staying with Wayne and Kathy.
While in Estes Park she enjoyed watching Sadie Rose play high school
sports and they spent time cooking recipes from the family cookbook.
In July 2020 it was time to get more
help for her beloved husband Wayne as his dementia was too much for
Kathy to manage on her own. So, she moved back to Kansas and settled
in Clay Center. Kathy was close to Wayne's nursing home and was now
able to spend time with her Kansas grandchildren. She enjoyed
watching Lindley on the Topeka news, Luke and Carter's football games
and wrestling matches. She would help Carter and Margot with homework
and reading several days a week.
She is survived by her soul mate of 57
years Wayne, her daughter Keri Vik of Estes Park, and her son Tyce
Young (Crystal) of Clay Center. Her beloved grandchildren Sadie Rose
Vik of Estes Park, Lindley Mae Lund of Topeka, Luke August Young,
Carter Christan Young, and Margot Kathleen Young of Clay Center.
Brother Larry White (Jolene) of Cinnicnati, OH, sister Donna Kay
Lehner (John) of White Rock, NM and Bruce White (Betty) of North
Newton, KS, Brother-in-law, Gary Steed of Wichita, Kansas and many
nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers memorial
contributions may be made to Lincoln School Project Lead c/o the
funeral home.
Graveside services were held at 1:30PM
on Tuesday, December 22, at the Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center.
www.nsrfh.com
1943 - 2020 (77 years)