Gail S. Young

• VISITATION: Saturday, May 4^th, 2024, at CHRIST THE LORD LUTHERAN CHURCH 1650 N. Brookfield Rd in Brookfield, WI from 9am to Noon.
• MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday, May 4^th, 2024, at CHRIST THE LORD LUTHERAN CHURCH 1650 N. Brookfield Rd in Brookfield, WI at Noon.

Young, Gail S. (nee Dobratz) was called home to the Lord unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 23^rd 2024, age 72 years. Beloved wife of Bill and dear mother of Aaron (Kara) Young, Brad Young, and Sara (David) Huebner. Loving grandma of Elsie, James, Ellie, and Luke. Sister of the late Greg (Chris) Dobratz, Jeff (Sue) Dobratz, and Scot Dobratz. Preceded in death by her parents Ken and Audrey Dobratz, and her in laws Earl T. and Dorothy Young. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 4^th, 2024 at CHRIST THE LORD LUTHERAN CHURCH 1650 N. Brookfield Rd in Brookfield, WI from 9am to time of service at Noon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Christ the Lord Lutheran School 1650 N. Brookfield Rd, Brookfield, Wisconsin 53045.

Gail Shirley Young was born on September 8, 1951 in Milwaukee Wisconsin to Ken and Audrey Dobratz. She was the first born and only girl of four children. Gail attended Carleton Elementary school before transferring to Holy Ghost Lutheran School and church as a child. During childhood for the Dobratz children, the summer centered around the annual vacation to Bear Lake in Manawa, Wisconsin. The summer pilgrimage to Bear Lake carried on as Gail, Bill and family, her brothers and their families would continue this tradition for many years to come.

Upon completion of the grade school years Gail went on to attend Milwaukee Lutheran High School. It’s here where she first met the love of her life and future husband, Bill Young. There they attended Gail’s junior prom together after which Bill, who was a senior at the time, went on to college at Concordia River Forest, IL. Gail continued on at MLHS graduating in 1969. During her tenure at MLHS, Gail was part of the History Club, she was a Hall Monitor and Office Angel, and participated in intramural sports.  She was known for having great relationships with her teachers and even giving little gift bags to them as well. Per Gail’s senior yearbook, she disliked jogging and IBM programmer, and her pet peeve was losing gym socks and cold classrooms, which is somewhat ironic as Gail never had the heat set above 63 degrees in her own house later in life.

Unfortunately, at the age of 17 Gail lost her father to cancer which compelled her to forgo college and continue working at Winkie’s dime store to help her mother in the house and ease the financial burden at home.  It’s here it seems Gail’s devotion to helping others got its start.

During the post high school years Gail worked at Centralized Billing in Wauwatosa. Outside of work, Gail and her friends would frequent the Attic West.  It was here, just by chance, Gail was reunited with Bill.  He made the first move, asking Gail out on a date.  They went on dating for about two years before Bill proposed to Gail in 1974 and eventually married her on August 9th of 1975.  Bill and Gail rented a flat on 61st and Center before buying their “Starter home” on 81st and Capitol in 1978.  They would go on to live in this house for the next 33 years.  The twins were born to Gail and Bill on 10/20/1979 and Sara came shortly after on 3/13/1984.  This house was made a home by Gail as many cherished memories were created there.  Birthday parties, football parties, neighborhood cookouts, confirmations and graduations.  Gail’s most cherished time of the year was always Christmas, as her home slowly transferred into a Hallmark movie set with Gail’s endless decorating.

During the childhood years for Aaron, Brad, and Sara, Gail chaperoned on all the fields trips, volunteered as room mom, and attended countless sporting events for the kids. Gail also opened up her home to numerous children as her primary job was in home childcare for various families throughout the years. As Aaron, Brad, and Sara were off attending college, Gail began nannying for the McCarthey family. She nannied for the next 15 years for them playing an integral part of the lives of the three McCarthey children.  Put best by Amy McCarthey, “Gail made my life possible.”

Gail was a faithful woman and knew her Savior, Jesus Christ. Her mom and dad brought her up in the faith and she was baptized and confirmed at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church. Gail and Bill continued that faith as they were members at Covenant Lutheran Church for many years come. Most recently, they would often attend Christ the Lord Lutheran, worshipping the Lord with grandchildren many Sundays.

Gail was a lover of the outdoors.  She loved gardening and working in her beautiful yard.  She loved her birds, yelled at the squirrels and was constantly keeping an eye out for ferns at the Home Depot.  Gail loved to shop and “run errands”.  She would cover Walmart, Target, Sendik’s, Hobby Lobby, Hallmark, and Barnes and Noble all before noon.  She befriended the checkout personnel at these establishments and most eventually grew to know her by name, some even asking to have her number so they could grab lunch with her.   Gail loved her trips to Bear Lake and the McCarthey Cabin, always special to her because family was together for an extended period of time in one place.  She loved the Packers, Badgers and Crusaders, as displayed by the numerous pieces of memorabilia in their Rec room.

Gail was a cherished and dear friend to so many.  She always listened, offered advice, shared so many laughs and was a shoulder to cry on.  Her genuine personality was reflected by her hand written notes and cards for her friends and family, whether birthdays or holidays and more often than not, simply because she wanted to spread joy to others.  Gail loved and supported her husband, Bill, and they’d be celebrating 49 years of marriage this August.  She sat in the stands for well over 500 CMH football games cheering on the Crusaders and her husband.  Bill says, “Gail was the love of his life, the most tender, loving, understanding and supportive person that God could have blessed me with.”  Gail’s greatest joy in life was when she became a mother. Raising her three children brought her pure joy and happiness. She was always there for them through every step of their lives. In the ups and downs, her children would turn to her for that endless love and support. The unconditional love that she showered upon the three of them made them who they are today. She has instilled in them the love of family and of others that will continue to carry on.

In the last eight years of Gail’s life, fulfillment has come in the form of her four grandchildren. Those years were filled with countless snuggles, stories, laughs, trips to the zoo or parks, and endless adventures. Each child fell in love with their Grandma Gail, aka “Grandma Sugar”. A part of Grandma has a become instilled in the grandchildren and a never-ending imprint has been placed upon each one of their special hearts.  Their time with grandma was the best way their lives could have begun.  Grandma’s love is a special type of love.

In the end, it’s hard to encapsulate who Gail was into simply words.  She was the best of the best, the most special of people, the life of the party.  She spread positivity, love and joy to all who knew her.  Her laugh was hearty and contagious, people wanted to be around her.  Her smile lit up the room.  She will never be forgotten, impossible to replace, and her memory will live on forever.

HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME

16880 W. National Ave.              (262)901-1140

www.heritagefuneral.com