Elizabeth Siebach Young's Obituary
Elizabeth Siebach Young, peacefully passed away on May 17, 2023, returning to her Heavenly home, surrounded by those she loved dearly and by those who dearly loved her. Elizabeth left her husband, children and grandchildren each knowing they were loved, and knowing that they were her favorite person in the world.
Elizabeth was the sixth child of seven children born to Ernst Rudolf Siebach and Lina Frieda Oertel. Her parents immigrated from Germany to Manhattan, New York, eventually settling in Gloversville, New York, which is where Elizabeth was born. Growing up as a German family in America during World War II had its own set of challenges, but as Elizabeth always said, it made her family closer and they relied heavily on each other for strength during the hard times. As the last surviving member of the original Siebach family, one can only imagine how excited she must have been to embrace her parents and siblings again on the other side of the veil.
In addition to the love she shared for her family and others, she loved the gospel. Elizabeth was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in many capacities, but Elizabeth’s favorite callings in the church were that of Gospel Doctrine Teacher and Minister. As a Gospel Doctrine Teacher, she had file cabinets full of notes, church talks, and thoughts where she wrote down ideas for teaching the gospel. Her scriptures, in fact, had so many notes and articles pasted in them that she had to have them re-bound into three separate books that were all larger than the original. As a faithful Minister, each and every week Elizabeth would try and share a meal with a neighbor or friend, which is something she had learned from the example of her parents.
Along with the study of the scriptures, and teaching from them, Elizabeth also loved missionary work. Growing up in New York, in a small LDS Branch, missionary work was always part of their life. In her 20s, Elizabeth served a mission for her Savior in the Zurich Switzerland Mission and later in life served a mission with her loving husband in Germany where they touched a number of lives. This mission was followed up with a church service mission at a local Spanish speaking ward. Elizabeth loved teaching the gospel to everyone she met, and her enthusiasm for it was always one of her strengths, which in turn, instilled a spirit of missionary work into each of her children and grandchildren.
As a life-long learner, teaching was Elizabeth’s personal and professional love. Elizabeth taught public school for 46 years. She taught in Rochester New York, Burley Idaho, Las Vegas Nevada, Price Utah, and finally in Salt Lake City, Utah. She cared for and loved her students, something each of her students could feel. Elizabeth had a gift for making children feel special, each in their own way. She would come home at the end of the year with posters and cards made by her students letting her know they loved her. Her own children, at times, were amazed by the impact she made because almost everywhere they went a student of hers would recognize her and would mention how she changed their lives for good.
Growing up near the Finger Lakes of New York, Elizabeth had many happy memories of swimming excursions with her family. She shared her enthusiasm for the sport in many capacities as a swim team coach, a swim instructor and as a lifeguard. Many family memories were made with her children, and their friends who would accompany her, on Saturday mornings where she lifeguarded at 5:00 am at the Deseret Gym. These early morning excursions were always highly anticipated!
Elizabeth was an incredible human being that left quite a legacy behind. Although she served many people in many ways, her most cherished callings in life were that of Mother, Grandmother, and Daughter of God. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Elizabeth is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Larry David Young and four children: David (Lori), John (April), Danny (Anna), Christine, sixteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren soon to be three.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on June 2, 2023 at Oquirrh Point 6th Ward, located at 6271 West 7000 South in West Jordan Utah. A visitation will be held on the same day and location in the morning from 9:00 am till 10:30 am. Internment: Redwood Memorial Estates.
In Lieu of flowers please donate to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Missionary Fund.
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