Aunt Gary Passes Away

 My Aunt Gary recently passed away.  She was 94 years old and had been in poor health for a couple of years. She was living in a care center for the last several years.  She was married to my dad's brother Ron.

Gary Freeman Gabrielsen, age 94, passed away on Friday July 25, 2025, in Draper, Utah. She was the first of 9 children born to Ed and Beth Freeman in Idaho Falls, ID on Jan 21, 1931. Gary enjoyed a happy childhood growing up in Eastern Idaho during the Great Depression.

She graduated from Blackfoot High School and went on to attend Utah State, where she met and married Ronald Joseph Gabrielsen. They were sealed in the Logan Temple on August 11, 1950. Together they raised 5 children. They lived in Pocatello, Idaho and then settled in Boise in 1962. Gary returned to school to complete her bachelor’s degree and began a long and meaningful teaching career at South Junior High, where she taught Home Economics and English from 1966 to 1991.

After Ron’s passing, Gary moved to Salt Lake in 2012 to be closer to her family.

Gary had a passion for learning, creating and teaching. She loved to read, write, sew, quilt, scrapbook, and bake bread. She tackled every project with enthusiasm and energy. Even while sitting with Ron as he watched TV, she would find a project to work on. She was a devoted mother and grandmother always cheering on her children and grandchildren. Family gatherings were important to her, and she always made them special. She was an extraordinary teacher both in the classroom and at church, known for her ability to connect with teenagers and share valuable life skills.

Gary was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, one grandchild, and six of her siblings. She is survived by her children: R Joseph Gabrielsen, Jr. (Laurie), Randee Gabrielsen, David Gabrielsen (Loriann), Diane Fager (Vance), and Todd Gabrielsen (Liz), and 22 grandchildren.

Although we are saddened by the loss of our dear mother and grandmother, we know we will be together again.

A friends and family gathering will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025, from 2:00–4:00 PM at Larkin Mortuary in Sandy, Utah. Gary will be laid to rest beside her beloved Ron at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise, Idaho.

Ken and I drove up and back to SLC on one day (August 25) to be in attendance at the viewing/ family gathering at 2pm. It was so worth it to be there.  I love all of my Gabrielsen cousins and their spouses.

Aunt Gary's children and spouses: 
(Vance) Diane, David (Loriann), (Laurie) Joe, Randee, Todd (Liz) 

Our only living aunt now is our dear, dear Aunt Nedra.  We all absolutely adore her.  Her kids brought her the four hours drive from Oakley, Idaho to be there.  We all took turns sitting by her and visiting with her.  She is my dad's youngest sister.  
Nedra, me, Patty

Nedra and Pam

My cousin Alvin and me (with Roger photo bombing)

Alvin(retired pediatrician), me, Scott (serves as Lt. Governor of Idaho), and Patty

It is hard to describe the joy of being with so many of my cousins.  They are all such good people and inspiring to be near.  It truly was a celebration and reunion.  We were so glad we were there.

The burial was in Boise the next day.  Many other cousins attended the graveside service there and the dinner afterward.