Gary Nels Jensen

Gary Jensen was a quiet man with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and hands that could solve almost any problem. He belonged outdoors. The woods and water were his place. He fished the lakes and rivers around Republic and Stevenson, drove the backroads in search of game, huckleberries, and mushrooms, and took to the water for boating, salmon fishing, and crabbing. He loved camping. Winters belonged to snowmobiling in his earlier years and to skiing later. For twenty years the family claimed every Presidents’ Day weekend at Big White Resort in Kelowna, British Columbia.

That same patience and work ethic shaped everything he did. Born in Kellogg, Idaho, he grew up as his family moved and finally settled in Republic, Washington, where he met Judith Larson, the love of his life. They were married in July 1959 and recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Together they raised three daughters in Republic. He valued service to his country and enlisted in the Army, serving two years at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, then with the Army Corps of Engineers operating heavy equipment until his discharge in 1966. Back in Republic he ran his own logging company, later joined Shiflett Logging, and then spent twenty years at Hecla Gold Mining, where his work was problem-solving and keeping operations running smoothly. In retirement, Gary felt called to service again and spent eight years as a volunteer driver for the Republic ambulance.

He loved time in his shop, tinkering, woodworking, or fixing just about anything. He built cribs, beds, a rocking horse, and a harp for his grandchildren. He taught his daughters to waterski and took particular pleasure in tossing the sons-in-law off the inner tubes on Curlew Lake. In retirement he and Judy traveled the United States, Canada, and the world together—Europe, Africa, South America, Australia, and Nepal.

A kind and gentle man, Gary was trusted and admired by everyone who knew him. He didn’t tell you who he was. He showed you. His girls were his pride and joy. He delighted in his five grandchildren. He cherished time with each of them and celebrated their interests and discoveries. Judy and Gary left Republic in 2007 and lived in Stevenson, Washington, for 17 years before moving to Spokane in 2025.

Gary was surrounded by his beloved family when he left this world. He is survived by his wife, Judith; his

sisters, Lois Graves and Sue Fletcher (Gary); his daughters and their husbands; Carla Glessing (Grant), Chris Eller (Richard), and Lindsey Smith (Jason); and his five grandchildren, Rachel Glessing (Johann Barnard), Brayden Smith, Nathan Glessing, Conner Smith, and Riley Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Lucille Jensen, and his brothers, Duane and Lee Jensen.

Celebration of Life

Saturday, October 24, at 2:00 p.m.

Sunset Memorial Chapel at Fairmount Memorial Park

5200 W. Wellesley Avenue, Spokane, Washington