Larry Gursky

LARRY GURSKY

It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, Larry Gursky.

Larry had a penchant for mischievous adventure. Born to Red and Delores Gursky in 1953, Larry’s childhood was filled with shenanigans. As a youngster, he “borrowed” the family car to drive into town and was the reason his family moved to Frenchtown — so he would have to ride the bus home. The only son in a family of five children, he was a master at giving his sisters a hard time, a trait that followed him for life.

A short few months after meeting in the Copper Commons at the University of Montana, Larry decided he couldn’t live without the smashing good looks and smarts of Dena, and Dena decided Larry’s quick wit and humor were worth saying “I do” to. They married March 29, 1980. Both pursuing a degree in elementary education, their lives quickly filled with children both of their own and in the classroom. Jenifer, their first daughter was born at the end of 1980 and Kylie, their second was born in 1983. Allen, their son, would be born 10 years later after they moved to the Flathead to cement their teaching careers in Ronan. Their 13-year stay in the Flathead enabled Larry to coach football, become active with the Montana Science Teachers Association, and create and teach science curriculum. His father and mother were from Ronan and Polson, respectively, and he always felt like teaching in Ronan was his way of “coming home”.

Continuing his passion for teaching, he and his family moved to Western Washington in 1999. Considered a first-class teacher by his peers, he spent endless hours on his curriculum and extra hours coaching a robotics club. While in the Bethel School District, Larry continued to mentor new teachers, encouraging and supporting them through his love, knowledge and experience of the teaching profession. He held various positions in the Bethel Education Association union, always fighting for what teachers needed to teach children in the best ways possible.

If Larry’s first love was teaching, his second was his classic Chevy pickup trucks. He spent many enjoyable hours restoring his two trucks, entering car shows and photographing the trucks. Dena came to love these “toy trucks” (as she called them) and often joined Larry in this hobby. The Chevy trucks were the perfect palette for everything Griz. Go Griz!

Larry is survived by his wife, Dena; his daughter Jenifer and spouse Chris, daughter Kylie and spouse SK Rossi, son Allen, and an adorable granddaughter, Parker. He is also survived by his four sisters, Sandy Muckey, Cheryl Ashe, Bernie Sorenson, and Laura Hagan.

Services will be held in Polson on Friday, April 14. For details please contact the family at larrygurskyfamily@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be sent to Washington Education Association’s Children’s Fund Charity.