Linda Lu (Wailes) Young was the first-born child of William and Virginia (Elam) Wailes. Seven more siblings
Linda attended Letford Elementary, Johnstown Junior High and graduated in the last class of the Johnstown High School Phantoms in 1962. She 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 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 loved spending time with each of them and supporting them in all of their endeavors.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Virginia Wailes; two siblings, Bill Wailes and Debbie Huwa; and a brother-inlaw, 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; and her sistersin- 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 a.m. October 24 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 47th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634. Condolences may be shared at AdamsonCares. com.
