Ruth "Gildsig" Emma Young

Ruth Emma (Gildsig) Young, age 104, left this world in Berthoud, Colorado just five blocks north of her birthplace on February 10, 2019.  Her parents were Danish immigrants, Marion N. Gildsig and Gunhild Beatrice Augustsen.  The doctor who delivered her asked her father, as her birth became difficult, which one he wanted him to save.  He replied, "Both.” Although Ruth was born in Berthoud, on March 6, 1914, she spent her childhood on a farm in Johnstown, Colorado as an only child.   Ruth graduated from Johnstown High School in 1932 and attended Business College in Fort Collins.  On April 10, 1933 she married Dr. Robert E. Dunn, a Veterinary College graduate of Colorado A & M (now CSU). Finding jobs during the depression was difficult, but Dr. Dunn began working for the USDA which caused the family, now with a newborn daughter, Janet, to move over thirty times through parts of SE and NW Colorado, Wyoming, East Texas, Great Falls, Montana where a second daughter, Helen, was born, and then to St. Paul, MN before returning to Great Falls.  They lived through the Dust Bowl and at one time even lived in a sheepherder’s wagon!  In 1943 Ruth and Robert Dunn divorced and she and her daughters moved to Loveland.  Ruth worked at the ESA Sorority and the State Employment Office.  Her shorthand training landed her a job at the Bureau of Reclamation from which she retired after 22 years of service. In June 1955 Ruth married Robert A. Young, who worked at the Loveland Police Department.  Together they explored the mountains in their Jeeps and took care of the horses they bought to enjoy with their four grandchildren.  They were wonderful grandparents and gave so much to their family and community.  Capt. Bob Young, a WWII vet, passed away in October of 1985. Ruth is survived by her daughters Janet Knox of Loveland and Helen Adams (Claude) of Berthoud, Grandchildren, Kathy Dench of Loveland, Gary Hart (Tohnni) of Berthoud Jolene Assenzio of Wellington, Florida, Great Grandchildren, Kevin Dench (Rhiannon), Randall Dench, Alexander Dench, Shane Hart, Kyle Hart, Chad Zenner (Rebecca), Amanda Waters, and Matt Waters and great-great granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert A Young, her son-in-law Forrest S. Knox, Jr., and a grandson F. Steven Knox. Ruth was loved and will be missed by the many wonderful friends and neighbors she cared for deeply. Ruth was adored animals and memorial contributions can be made to Larimer County Humane Society.  Private graveside services to be held in the spring at Loveland Burial Park.  Private Committal Loveland Burial Park 1702 N. Cleveland Ave. Loveland, CO 80537