Sandra Young Obituary

Sandra Marie Young, 64, of Durango, Colorado passed away in her home after a short intense struggle with ovarian cancer on August 16, 2018.

Sandy was born in Waukegan, Illinois on June 12, 1954 to Donald and Clare Young. In 1969 she moved with her family to their farm in Osseo, Wisconsin. She graduated from Osseo-Fairchild High School in 1972 and then attended Bemidji State University to study Business Education. She was very active in sports and trained with the US Olympic volley ball team.

In 1980 she traveled west seeking an opportunity to work with horses. She found it in Durango when she hired on as cook in an elk hunting camp in the Hermosa. It was there that she met her husband, Larry Zauberis. She rode the Dutch Creek grazing allotment with her husband for several years in the early 1980's. She then raised hay on the Dalton Ranch, managed the Frazier Ranch, and ran her own outfitting service, the Seventy Seven Outfit, for many years. Sandy went on to become one of the most respected horsemen in the region. The Hermosa was a very special place for Sandy and from there she will live forever.

She had a strong passion and respect for the land that she worked and loved. Her talents with horses and skills as a backcountry outfitter were second to none. She loved ranch work and had a remarkable ability to make her fields green. Sandy took pride in providing beef for many families in our community.

Sandy also took pride in being active in contributing to her community. She was treasurer of the La Plata/Archuleta Cattlemen's Association, had a seat on the Habitat Partnership Program Committee for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and was a founding member of the Four Corners Back Country Horsemen.

She was preceded in death by her father Donald, her brother Donald Young and her sisters Kathy Severson and Clare Young. She is survived by her husband Larry Zauberis (Durango, CO), her mother Clare Young (Osseo, WI), her sister Laura Jackson (Muskego, WI) and brothers Michael and Tom Young (Osseo, WI). She is also survived by two aunts, many nieces, nephews, cousins, countless special friends, and her faithful dog, Mickey.

Her family would like to express appreciation to the staff at Mercy Home Health and Hospice for their care and compassion.

A celebration of her life will take place on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at the Junction Creek Group Pavilion from 12 to 4 PM. Bring love and stories of your experiences with Sandy to share.