Donna Rae Young

Donna Rae Young, 78, passed away peacefully at her home in Rigby, Idaho, surrounded by family and friends.

Donna Rae— “our angel”—was born on April 24, 1947, in Burbank, California, to Inez (Gilpin) and Keith Dye. Raised in Southern California, Donna lived a life filled with energy, creativity, and heart. She was taught to swim by her second cousin, Esther Williams, and attended dance classes at Al Gilbert Dance Studios, where she even auditioned for the Mickey Mouse Club alongside Annette Funicello.

On May 18, 1974, Donna married the love of her life, Emerson “Ray” Young, at the Little Brown Church in Studio City, California—famously known as the wedding site of Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Together, they shared fifty-two wonderful years of marriage. Throughout their life together, work and travel took them through the San Fernando Valley, the San Joaquin Valley, and the Central Valley of California, then to Albany, Oregon, where they owned a family ranch, and finally to Rigby, Idaho, where they settled, retired, and put down their final roots.

Donna wore many hats over the years, including waitressing, owning her own cleaning business, serving as an exercise instructor at Curves, and later becoming the lead fitness instructor at the Senior Citizen Center in Rigby. She had boundless compassion and love for everyone she met. Donna truly never met a stranger and was larger than life, with a heart of gold.

Her true passion was mentoring young waitresses and encouraging others wherever she lived or traveled. Donna believed deeply in people and was always lifting them up, often sharing her favorite words of wisdom: “Don’t let fear hold you back.”

While her husband and son managed ranch life in Albany, Oregon, Donna was an active member of the Polled Hereford Association and the 4-H Club. She also enjoyed thrifting, which she lovingly called therapy along with crafting, decorating, and volunteering. Donna had an extraordinary ability to recognize the needs of others and give selflessly.

Donna is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Emerson “Ray” Young; her devoted sons, Paul (Chet) Downs and his wife, Carrie Downs, and Charles (Chuck) William Young and his wife, Jody Young; her loving sister, Patricia Joy Banales; her dear cousin, Dick Clauss and his wife Sharon, and their family; her lifelong best friend, Sharon Huddleston; as well as 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Donna’s honor to organizations supporting our nation’s veterans.