Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271193
Title: Darbie K. Young
Date: 11/11/1972-3/5/2021
Inscription/Marks: 11/11/1972
Summary: On this day March 5, 2021, Darbie Kay Young, 48, Chapman, KS, completed her journey as a WARRIOR and has begun her new journey as our GUARDIAN ANGEL, along the side of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Mass of Christian burial was held March 12, 2021, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan, ND. Burial was at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Darbie was born November 11, 1972, to Jack and Lenora Fleck in Devil’s Lake, ND. She was raised in Mandan, with her brother, Tim Fleck, and sister, Robin (Fleck) Jundt. She graduated from Mandan High School in 1991, beginning her WARRIOR journey. She attended Bismarck State College and Minot State University, earning an associate of arts degree. Darbie joined the United States Army in January 1997. She completed her basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and concluded her advanced training at Fort Sam Huston, TX, as a mental health technician. Darbie was stationed at Fort Huachuca, AZ. While at Ft. Huachuca, Darbie was promoted to sergeant, and re-classed to become an army intelligence analyst. She continued her service at Fort Riley, KS, earning the rank of staff sergeant. While stationed at Ft. Riley, Darbie served her country with onor and distinction during two combat deployments to Iraq. Her achievements during her service to this great country are many, most notably, the Combat Action Badge, five Army Commendation Medals, and being selected by the Department of Army to be promoted to sergeant first class with less than 10 years of service. Darbie fulfilled her service in December 2006. “The road to freedom isn’t free, and thus is open to us all.” -Abraham Lincoln It was during her second deployment to Iraq when she met her soon to be husband, Elmer Young. On a blind leap of faith Darbie opened her heart, soul and life to him and his two children, Shelby Renee (Young) Collins and Senior Airman (SRA) John Paul Young. She married Elmer on December 18, 2006, and so began her new role, WARRIOR, wife and mother. She also started a new career, still providing service to her country, not as a soldier, but as a civilian in the Department of Defense in January 2007. She took her new roles head on, leaning into the wind and without fear. Darbie raised her children with an iron fist, the ferocity of a Mama Bear and with love and compassion of a Saint, guiding them along their own paths, giving them encouragement, motivating them to aspire to greatness and never to settle for second best. She taught them to be independent, thoughtful and compassionate to others, to safeguard their morals and values and always do the right thing, no matter how hard it might be. Through Darbie’s nurturing she was able to witness her daughter graduate with two college degrees and get married to Nathan Collins and his son Hunter. She was able to watch her son complete his “right of passage” and graduate from the United States Air Force basic training, serve his country in Afghanistan, and flourish in his military career. There is no greater achievement a parent can have, there is no greater sense of accomplishment than to know your children have become successful adults. This is especially true for Darbie, she had no greater sense of pride and the feeling of accomplishment than to know that all her sacrifices, hard work and always putting her children first paid off. She will rest peacefully, knowing that her children will live their lives with the values she worked so hard to instill in them. While simultaneously being a wife and mother, Darbie worked as the Department Manager for Security at the Irwin Army Hospital, developing and implementing an armed security guard force and constantly working every day to make her hospital safe and secure for the soldiers it serves. She also attained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in security management. We can all reflect on Darbie’s life; it meant so much to so many and for various reasons. There is one certainty and truth we can all hold dear to our hearts. Darbie’s love, compassion, selflessness and thoughtfulness was far reaching and never ending. Her love to you all had no boundaries, no limitations nor an expiration date. She touched the hearts of all she called a friend and family; in fact, if you were her friend, you were her family. Know this: when you are facing hard times and you feel a gentle breeze on the back of your neck, it is our GUARDIAN ANGEL helping to LEAN INTO THE WIND. Darbie Kay Young is survived by her husband, Elmer Young; daughter and son-in-law, Shelby Renee and Nathan Collins, and grandson, Hunter; son, SRA John Paul Young; father, Jack Fleck; mother, Lenora Fleck; sister, Robin (Daryl) Jundt; brother, Tim (Patty) Fleck; sister from another mister, Tammy Krein; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She will also be missed by her dogs, Little Buddy and Milo, and her cat, Buck. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Jacob, Sr. and Pauline Fleck; and maternal grandparents, Ester and Art Fischer.
Red ID: FND_I_78680 Image ID: 557620 Image Notes: FND001 271193

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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