Gary Alan Jansen, 80

Beloved husband and father, Gary A. Jansen, 80, passed away Saturday, July 20, 2024, of a long-standing illness.

Gary was born Aug. 18, 1943, to Emil J. and Lois A. Jansen, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His early years were spent with his father hunting and fishing, an experience he would later share with his own children.

After high school, Gary joined the Navy, he worked as a photographer’s mate. He was assigned to process the official Navy photographs after John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Upon being discharged from the Navy he moved back to Minnesota, where he worked managing an independent grocery store and then Northwest Airlines. 

Gary was married to Joan McKinney and they had three children, Lonnie, Sheri and Daniel. While visiting relatives in North Idaho the family decided to move to Sandpoint and then to Priest River. He worked for Safeway for 18 1/2 years. Then he worked construction for a while — until he found his true calling, woodworking. He enjoyed making cabinets, bookcases and custom one-of-a-kind furniture. 

Gary and Joan were divorced in early 1975. He met and married Phyllis Klaus in late 1975. Phyllis had two sons, Michael and Bart. They started out their marriage with a blended family. They moved to Bonners Ferry in 1977.

Gary was an animal lover and volunteered for 15 years at Second Chance Animal Adoption and Caring People for Animals. He also built birdhouses and feeders for the birds. He loved gardening and shared his vegetables and plants with family and friends. 

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Lois Jansen; stepson, Bart; and granddaughter, Hannah. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; daughter, Lonnie (Ron) Walkup; daughter, Sheri (Marty) Hirst; son, Daniel (Freda) Jansen; and stepson, Michael (Tammy) Klaus; along with many grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. 

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at the Grandview Cemetery. The Bonners Ferry Funeral Home is caring for the family. To leave a message or memory for the family, please go to bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.