Patricia Ann Young, 84, of Colby, passed away Monday, December 9, 2019 at Citizens Medical Center. She was born February 14, 1935, in Colby, KS, to E. A. (Neb) and Mary (Talbott) Swanson.
Patricia was a member of the United Methodist Church and the VFW Auxiliary 6882. She attended Colby Schools and graduated high school in 1953. She attended Fort Hays State University completing a secretarial course in 1953. She then attended Denver University until her marriage to (Ralph) Dean Young on April 21, 1956. Pat grew up helping her parents run their business, the Cozy Cafe, and continued to do so until her parents’ retirement. Pat’s lifetime work revolved around restaurants and raising children.
No matter where it was that served coffee, Pat was a fixture around town and in the area, sharing stories and fun times with good friends, and strangers who would soon become her good friends. Pat was an avid musician who was born into a musical family. She enjoyed playing the piano and listening to all types of music, especially her weekly Bop Shop and polka programs. Over the years, she loved attending her 1953 class reunions and monthly lunches with her classmates. Pat was a big NASCAR fan, even making a few special trips to the Kansas Speedway. She was an animal lover who had an endless stream of pets over her lifetime, often compliments of her veterinarian neighbor who always made sure she was informed about any homeless animal in the area.
Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Young. She is survived by her children, Robert (Linda) Young, Las Vegas, NV, Carla (William) Nash, Evanston, IL, Cynthia (Michael) Brown, Prairie Village, KS and Lisa (Shane) Moss, Stevensville, MT; grandchildren, Katie (Eddie )Lyon, Las Vegas, NV, Tommy (Jessica) Young, Morrow, OH, Nathan Vanatta, Colby, KS, Valerie (Ryan) Lucia, Carson City, NV, Derrick Sorensen, Colby, KS, Preston Jones (fiancé Emily Naes, Denver, CO and Jessica Moss, Skokie, IL; great grandchildren, Idalas Jensen, Regan Hughes, Joycelyn and Xander Lyon, Mathew and Kenneth Young and great-great grandchildren Kawika and Malakai Jensen.
As Pat cared for others throughout her life, she instilled that mindset in her family; during her last years at home and in senior care, Pat’s grandsons, Nathan and Derrick, lovingly and devotedly took care of grandma. The family would like to thank Brian Unruh for his gifted and compassionate medical expertise, along with the dedicated staff at Citizens Medical Center and Prairie Senior Living Complex.
Visitation is 9:00am Saturday, December 14, 2019, with Funeral Service at 10:00am at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, KS, with burial to follow at Beulah Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the United Methodist Church, Prairie Museum of Art and History, or VFW Auxiliary 6882, sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit www.baalmannmortuary.com