Ruth R. Young

Ruth Roberta (Latshaw) Young was born August 22, 1925 to Earl and Inez (Stanley) Latshaw. She lived in and around the Cortland area most of her life. Ruth was a country girl. She loved the wide- open spaces, the beauty of nature, the sun sets and the clouds in the sky. She loved frost on the fence row lines and the trees and chilly morning sun rises.

She was baptized as an infant and was confirmed and became a member of the Cortland Pilgrim Congregational Church, on March 28, 1937, at the age of 12. Many years later the church name was changed to Cortland United Church. She went to church camps as a teenager, sang in children's choir and adult choir. She taught Sunday School and Bible school. She was President of Cortland United Congregational Women's group.

She attended two rural country schools before attending Cortland High School. While in high school, she enjoyed music most of all. She sang solos and was in the musical programs, and special groups. She graduated from high school in 1942.

After graduating from high school, she went to Peru State College one year and one summer, before starting her teaching career. Ruth was 16 years old, just turning 17 when she started teaching. Her love for children showed in her work with them. She taught 3 years, then took on another love, her husband, Evan Young. They were married March 12, 1946, in the Cortland Congregational Church.

They lived near Holland, Nebraska, for 5 years, then they moved to Cortland in 1952. To this union were born 5 children: Roger, Patty, Gary, Kevan and Kay. In 1958, Ruth went back to teach and continued her career of teaching. After taking classes, much night work and having a cooperative family, she obtained her Bacheler's Degree in 1966 and graduated from Peru State College. She taught a total of 36 years, 26 of these years were at Norris School District #160. She taught 7 years at Sunnyside, Princeton and Hallam country schools, prior to starting to teach at Norris. She loved her work with children and gave her love and time faithfully throughout her teaching career. She retired from Norris School in May 1991.

Evan and Ruth decided to move off the farm and into town. So Evan started to build their new home in Cortland in 1978 and finished it in 1980.

After her retirement, she continued to give her time to family, church and community. She loved nature and saw beauty in the tiniest things. She loved people and loved entertaining. She had women's meetings and women's Bible study meetings in her home. She always had the table set perfectly and decorated according to the season. She loved it all! Then came COVID in 2021 and the gatherings were discontinued for community health reasons.

She would often talk about what life was like when she was a young girl. She had one older brother, Donald. She used to love to tell stories of how they would ride their horses to school and race the horses home. She also told many stories about teaching country, one room schoolhouses and having to carry the water in every morning, and how they had to go outside to use the out houses (as they were called back in those days) or bathroom, as they are now called. The one room schoolhouse was grades K-8th grade and she taught all 8 grades. She would have to get the old firewood stove going to heat the school before the children came for school. She also told stories about school picnics and etc.

Ruth was preceded in death by her father, Earl Latshaw in 1956. Her mother, Inez Latshaw in 1971, her brother, Donald Latshaw in 1990, her husband, Evan Young in 2009, her Son-in law, Wes Husband in 2021 and Grandson, Clancy Young in 2024. Many Sisters- and Brothers-in law.

She leaves her Blessings with her families: Roger and wife, Linda of West Sacramento, California, and their children, Brian Young and Stefanie Hill, from Livingston, Texas, Andrew Young, from West Sacramento, California, Kevan Young and Michelle, from Orangevale, California, Katie and Paul Bergh from Aptos, California, and Sean Young and wife, Megan, from West Sacramento, California and grandchildren.

Patricia (Oltman) Husband of Lincoln, Nebraska and her children. Wendy and Justin Miler, from Benkelman, Nebraska, Ryan Oltman and wife Lynnette, from Cortland, Nebraska, and Brandon Oltman from Omaha, Nebraska, and grandchildren.

Gary Young and wife, Barbara, from Las Vegas, Nevada, and his children, Jamie and husband, Dave Slayden, from Georgetown, Kentucky, Angie and husband Jerod Smith from Lakeside, Oregon, and step-daughter, Lauren Kienitz from Las Vegas, Nevada, and grandchildren.

Kevan Young and wife, Kathleen, from St. Joseph, Missouri, and their children, Jesse Young and wife, Nicole from Roca, Nebraska, Kasey and husband Jason Beck, from Brock, Nebraska, Kelly Cole from Brock, Nebraska, Delany Heard and Alex Drew from Tecumseh, Nebraska and Katherine Young and Zeffrey Jones from Lincoln, Nebraska, and grandchildren.

Kay Miller and husband, John, from Cortland, Nebraska, and their children, Dominique and husband, Joseph Clay, from Beatrice, Nebraska and Shane and wife, Julie Miller, from Denton, Nebraska, and Great-grandchildren.

Ruth also leaves behind many dear Nieces, Nephews and many dear Friends.

Ruth had 19 Grandchildren, 43 Great-grandchildren and 9 Great-Great Grandchildren.

Ruth Roberta Young passed away peacefully in her home on April 11, 2026, at the age of 100 years, 7 months and 20 days.

She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Great-Great-Grandmother. She will be missed by all.

Memorials are designated to The Cortland United Church Youth Ministry.