ALBANY, Ore. — Josephine (Jody) Laverna Young, 83, of Albany, Ore., passed away Saturday at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. Born Jan. 19, 1928, in Great Bend, she was the daughter of George and Frances (Koelsch) Whitsel. Josephine moved to Albany from Great Bend where she was the Girl Scout District Representative in Barton County for many years. After moving to Albany, Josephine sang with the "Sweet Adelines" and worked in the Albany Public School District assisting young students with drawing and graphic programs. She never saw a stranger, and even though she only had one child she became like a mother to so many, Aggie, Kathy, Ruby, Pat, Debbie, to name a few. On Dec. 30, 1945, she married Joe Young in Stafford. He died Feb. 15, 1982.

Survivors include a daughter, Jeanita Schrater and her husband, Roger, of Albany, Ore.; three sisters, Dora Jean Gregory and Lillian Claphan, both of Great Bend, and Norma Jean Smith of Hoisington; a granddaughter, Terri Glover and her husband Brent, of Albany, Ore.; and three great-grandchildren, Crytel Dixon-Glover, Brieanna Dixon-Glover and Anthony Dixon-Glover, all of Albany, Ore. She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; three brothers; and an infant brother.

Private Celebration of Life Service will be at a later date. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Girl Scouts of America in care of the funeral home.