Ronda Joy Young

Ronda Joy Young, 67 of Scottsbluff, NE died Thursday, October 27, 2016 at Scottsbluff Care and Rehabilitation Center, formerly Golden Living Center. Cause of death was cancer. Per her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Her ashes will be scattered as she requested. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com. Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel assisted the family with arrangements.

Ronda Joy Young was born on September 25, 1949 in Scottsbluff, Scotts Bluff County, NE to Ronald S. and Lola (Kubes) Young.

Ronda grew up in Scottsbluff and was very outgoing by nature. Her middle name “Joy” perfectly describes what she brought to those who knew her. She was very active in music, playing the trumpet and even went to New York and studied with Doc Severson. She was also asked to provide the music at weddings.

She received her Cosmetology license and became an Instructor at the Hollywood Beauty School in Scottsbluff, which was owned by her mother. In the 1980’s she became an entrepreneur. She and her business partner Mary Jane Hieb owned and operated three restaurants in Wisconsin and Minnesota. She was a lifelong learner and completed courses toward a Bachelor’s degree at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in the 1970’s and later at other colleges as she moved about the United States, and ultimately received her B.S. in Industrial Engineering at Wichita State University in 2002. While studying at Wichita State, and after graduating, she enjoyed working in the engineering lab on campus and conversing online with engineer students in Korea to help them learn English. Finally, due to failing health, after suffering several stokes, she moved to Summerset, SD in 2009. In April 2012, Ronda entered Castle Manor in Hot Springs, SD. She was transferred to Golden Living Center, Scottsbluff, NE in May 2013.

Ronda is survived by her aunt Ellen Bartlett and her step brother Lee Knudtson and wife Jeanie all of Scottsbluff, NE; cousin Kasandra Higdon of Kenosha, Wisconsin; very close friends Larry and Tina Hieb and children of La Plata, MD and Randy and Rheeta Baker and children of Lincoln, NE.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, step father Leo Knudtson and business partner Mary Jane Hieb.