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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.
Guestbook/Condolences
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Gabrielsen's passing. She was my home economics teacher at South Jr. High in Boise, Idaho back in the 1980s. She has been in my mind most of my life for all the things she had taught me and was one of my most favorite teachers. I always wished I had told her that and regret it has taken me so long to look her up. I am just so saddened to hear this news but so glad to hear she had such a long meaningful life. There was so much more I wish I could have learned from her. I have always regretted that I never took her sewing class. I still have yet to learn how to sew on a machine. But I am so grateful for all I did learn from such a kind, caring, beautiful lady. She is definitely missed and made a difference in this world probably more than she realized. I will always remember her fondly. Deepest and sincerest condolences to her family.