Gary Dean Jensen

Gary Dean Jensen, 76, was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, on January 12, 1937 to Helen and Oscar Jensen. One of five siblings, he graduated from Grand Island High School in May of 1955 and enrolled in Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. (Go, Phi Tau!) In college, Gary met and fell in love with Evelyn Stoddard of Brock, Nebraska. They were married on August 3, 1958. The couple moved to Omaha where Gary began studying medicine. Their first child, Dee Dee, was born in 1960. The family returned to Lincoln where Gary completed his Bachelor’s degree in education. Mark was born in 1962. Gary then took a high school science teaching job in Lusk, Wyoming, where the couple’s third child, Jody, was born in 1964. The family moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where Gary received his Master’s degree. He began teaching science at Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri, in 1966. Gary earned a Doctor of Education from Oklahoma State University-Stillwater, where the family lived for a year. They moved back to Tarkio and were members of the Tarkio United Methodist church until 1979 when they relocated to Cameron, Missouri. While in Cameron, Gary served as Director of Nursing Education at Heartland Medical Center in St. Joseph and Director of Education at Cameron Mutual Insurance Company. They were members of the Cameron United Methodist church. In 1992, Gary and Evelyn moved to Liberty, Missouri, where Gary took an administration position with the Kansas City Missouri School District. He also taught science courses. Gary served as an adjunct faculty member at Johnson County Community College, as well. In Liberty, they joined Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. Gary loved nature and all things science, woodworking, traveling in the camper with Evey, and most of all getting together with family. He loved to laugh, had a great sense of humor, and always had a positive attitude and a warm, welcoming smile. We will miss him terribly but know that our loss is heaven’s gain. Gary is survived by his wife, Evelyn Stoddard Jensen, his sister, Nancy Jensen Kohls (Ed), his brother, Jack (Joann), his daughter, Dee Dee Jensen Gutshall (Mike), his son, Mark Jensen, and his daughter, Jody Jensen Shaffer (Tom). Gary was lucky to have six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren: Danielle Gutshall Feeley (Greg), Caleb Gutshall (Amber), Abigail Jensen, Libby Jensen, Madeline Shaffer, Sam Shaffer, Emerson Gutshall, Nolah Feeley, and Lyla Gutshall. A visitation and celebration of Gary’s life will take place from 2-4pm Sunday, January 12, Gary’s 77th birthday, at the chapel at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 1600 North 291 Highway, Liberty, Missouri. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to Pleasant Valley Baptist Church Benevolence Fund or NorthCare Hospice House, 2900 Clay Edwards Drive, North Kansas City, Missouri, 64116. Fond memories of Gary and words of comfort for his family may be left by visiting his Memorial Page at: www.CashattFamilyFunerals.com. Cashatt Family Funeral Home in Platte Woods has been entrusted with final arrangements - 816-587-8200

Gary Dean Jensen

January 12, 1937 - January 8, 2014