Orena Elda Young

Orena Elda (Albrecht) Young was born on May 21, 1927, on a farm near Herington, Kansas to Fred and Dora (Lawrenz) Albrecht; the sixth of their seven children. On June 5, 1927, she received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of God. Her childhood education was at Immanuel Lutheran School, a one-room school in Dickinson County, Kansas. She publicly confessed her Christian faith as she was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in the Shadybrook community on April 20, 1941. She graduated from Herington High School in 1945 and from St. John's College, Winfield, Kansas in 1947. She continued her education at Central Missouri State College at the Independence, MO campus.

 Orena was married to William Glenn Young on August 24, 1948, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Herington, Kansas. They lived in the Kansas City, MO area for 35 years, with the exception of two years in London, England. They moved to The Woodlands, Texas in 1985, and her husband died there on March 9, 2000. She continued to live there until 2006 when she moved to Centennial, CO to live near their only child, Linda, who was born on October 1, 1956.

 In addition to being a caring mother, she participated in her daughter's school activities and was an active leader in the PIA. She began to volunteer in nursing homes in 1960, helping with activities and conducting weekly singalongs. She continued this work for 48 years. She belonged to numerous community organizations and served as president of many of them. She also volunteered in hospitals and libraries for many years. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and taught Sunday School for 50 years. She was active in the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She loved to sing and was a member of her church's choirs and participated in all her high school and college musical performances. She also enjoyed playing the piano.

Orena was known for her kindness, humor, and joy-filled spirit. She found life to be a gift of God and lived it to the fullest. Her goal and the legacy she hoped to leave was to share her love of God with others. Her connection to Jesus Christ was deep and everlasting.

On August 27, 2023, Orena went to be with her Lord in Heaven. We rejoice that she has now joined the church triumphant and is with those who have gone before her in worship and praise around the throne of our victorious Savior, Jesus Christ.

Preceding her in death was her husband, William; her parents and her six siblings, which include Lillian Pagenkopf, Werner (Whitie) Albrecht, Ella Mae Shilling, Oscar Albrecht, Lorna Lehner and Selma Finke. She is survived by her daughter, Linda J. Lee, and her husband, John D. Lee of Centennial, CO. Other family survivors include 15 nieces and nephews, 24 great nieces and nephews and 18 great, great nieces and nephews. Many friends will also remember Orena.