Karen (Gale) Young

Karen (Gale) Young, age 76, of Thornton, Colorado passed away August 25, 2018. She was born October 20, 1941, in Laramie to Edward Leroy and Elda Louise White Gale.

Karen was lovingly cared for by John and Hattie White, her grandparents in Saratoga, through her grade school years and attended high school in Torrington.

In 1965, she married Richard J. Helmes. They had three children, Jeffrey, Joel and Jamie; but the pair later divorced.

Littleton, Colo. was home to Karen and the children in 1984. She was an accounts payable technician in the telecommunications industry, TCI, retiring with more than 20 years of service.

In 1989, she married James Young. He brought to the family two children, Ken and Katie. In Dec. of 2006, James preceded her in death.

Karen traveled the country to visit family. Her laugh was contagious and her wonderful sense of humor lifted the mood of us all. She enjoyed D.I.Y. projects and finding ways to be crafty. Friends and family admired her gift for home decoration and she could often be found dragging her family and friends to antique stores and thrift shops. She especially enjoyed spending time with her girlfriends. And, naturally, she adored her grand babies!

An active member of the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church LCMC in Denver, Karen was devoted to the Sunday service, Bible studies and other church activities.

Survivors include her son, Jeffrey (Sherri) Helmes of Copperas Cove, Texas, Joel Helmes of Thornton and numerous grandchildren; her sister, Joan (Finch) Ellbogen of Casper, and brother Bernie (Sandi) Woodruff of Torrington, with multiple nieces and nephews who all loved her dearly.

A memorial service was held Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, Mt. Zion Lutheran Church LCMS in Denver.

The family request any memorials are sent to: Mt. Zion Lutheran Church LCMC, 500 Drake Street, Denver, Colo., 80221 or Joan Ellbogen, 1420 Brookview Dr., Casper, Wyo 82604.