Obituary of Linda L. Young

Linda Lu (Wailes) Young was the first-born child of William and Virginia (Elam) Wailes. Seven more siblings soon joined their busy and very loving family. Linda was raised on dairy farms around Johnstown, where she and her siblings worked hard and had many adventures. 

Linda attended Letford Elementary, Johnstown Junior High and graduated in the last class of the Johnstown High School Phantoms in 1962. Linda went on to college at Colorado State College (UNC) and graduated with her teaching license. 

While in college, Linda married her high school sweetheart and life-long best friend Jim Young. They enjoyed traveling, supporting their community, raising their children, cheering on their grandchildren, and having weekly date nights. 

Linda taught at Platteville Elementary, the Weld RE5J Preschool, Milliken Middle School, and finished out her career at Letford Elementary School teaching fourth grade.  She was convinced to do some substitute teaching and reading intervention at Pioneer Ridge Elementary once she retired. She impacted so many children’s lives in the Johnstown-Milliken communities. 

Linda has been an avid community member. It was almost impossible to go anywhere that she did not know someone. She was a member of the Johnstown United Methodist Church. She was also a member of PEO, Delta Kappa Gamma, Joy Fellowship, and United Methodist Women. She was a member of Estrellita, the Johnstown Historical Society, the Johnstown Milliken Education Association, and many other organizations. In many of these organizations, she served at least one term as president. 

In her retirement, Linda coordinated Meals on Wheels and helped with numerous church activities and meals. She also took amazing care of her mother Virginia who just recently passed.  

Linda’s hobbies have included reading, knitting, sewing, making beautiful quilts, gardening, supporting Roosevelt High School athletics and activities, and opening her home for family gatherings, meetings, and time with friends. She loved hosting and did it with ease. She made the best potato salad.  Many people have shared that Linda was the first person they met in Johnstown or at church, and that she made them feel so welcome. She was an amazing example of what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Linda’s greatest treasures in life have been her family members, especially her five grandchildren. She has loved spending time with each of them and supporting them in all of their endeavors. 

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, William and Virginia Wailes, two siblings, Bill Wailes and Debbie Huwa, and a brother-in-law, John Fuller.  She is survived by her loving husband, Jim; her children, Christy (Van) Duvall and Scott (Amy) Young, her grandchildren Molly, Julia (Dylan), and Kayla Duvall and Landry and Aydan Young; her siblings Diana (Joe) Parker, Shirlee (John) Stevenson, Eric (Michael Holloman) Wailes, Marc (Janel) Wailes, and Gregg Wailes, her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Elaine Wailes, Dianne Fuller, Haroleen Young, Glenn Huwa, and John Young. She is also survived by some very special nieces and nephews Heather, Hollie, Heidi, Eric, Jenny, Lindsay, Evan, Sheldon, Andrew, Colby, Barbara, David, Mark, Amy, Robbie, Chad, Brian, Jason, Tamie, Debie, Laura, Jeff, and their families. 

Linda passed after a brief illness, surrounded by family on October 17, 2023.

Linda’s Life Celebration will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the Johnstown United Methodist Church with a reception following.  Private family inurnment at the Johnstown Cemetery.  Memorial gifts may be made to the “Johnstown UMC” or “Weld RE-5J Education Foundation” in care of Adamson, 2000 47^th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.  Condolences may be shared at AdamsonCares.com.

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