We Remember
JESPERSEN, Garry Ellsworth
September 24, 1935 — September 7, 2025
On September 7, 2025, Garry Ellsworth Jespersen passed away and entered heaven while in complex care at Mountainview Village in Kelowna, BC.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin E. Jespersen and Alma (née Tobert) Jespersen of Edmonton, Alberta, and his first wife of 54 years, Nora Vivian (née Ek) Jespersen.
He is survived by his second wife, Violet “Vi” Jespersen; his three children: Brenda Graf (Dwight), Karen Luciak (Craig), and Diane Finnie; seven grandchildren: Morgan, Judson (Rebecca), Jodi (Luke), Ryan, Taylor (Kimberly), Kayla (Brady), and Jordan; seven great-grandchildren: Nash, Rae, Tate, Elaina, Parker, Lachlan, and Grace.
Garry was born in Sangudo, Alberta, on September 24, 1935. Much of Garry’s early life is unknown, as his birth mother was forced to give him up at an early age. After spending a few months in an orphanage, he was adopted by Melvin and Alma Jespersen of Spruce Grove, Alberta, and raised on their dairy farm.
The years prior to his adoption were traumatic and uncertain, causing emotional crippling, which he found difficult to overcome. A rocky start in life and wayward choices in his adolescent years led him to see his need for a Saviour. It was during these younger years that his father bought him a saxophone, and he took to it and the piano, playing music, mostly by ear.
Garry met Nora when she was working at the Cancer Clinic in Calgary. After a short courtship, Garry and Nora married and settled in Red Deer. Over the years, the family made several moves between Alberta and BC.
The first move to British Columbia took them to Mara Lake, where Garry tried his hand at owning and running a campground resort with a handful of cabins. Summers were busy with guests, but when September rolled around, Garry sold life insurance and spent months on the road and away from the family. After several years, he sold the campground, packed up his family, and moved back to Red Deer, where, for a short time, he sold travel trailers before buying Hicke Real Estate, where he found his niche.
The stress of a booming real estate business took its toll, and Garry sold the company and moved the family to Kelowna, where he built a home on Okanagan Lake and started Brenkardi Consulting (named for his girls). In semi-retirement, he began to golf more often and was involved at Lakeview Heights Baptist Church, where he served as an elder.
In 1980, he moved the family to Tsawwassen, BC, and after a short stint, relocated them back to Kelowna, where he has been ever since.
After the death of Nora (June 2014), Garry married Vi Rempel of Kelowna in July 2015. He began his decline with dementia shortly thereafter, and confusion and elaborate stories filled his conversations. The family is grateful for the care and compassion that Vi has shown to Garry. They are also thankful to the staff at Mountainview Village for the kind-hearted care they gave Garry during his time there.
In his last years, he loved to play his saxophone for any group that wanted to hear his music, which allowed him the opportunity to share his story. But his passion was telling people about the love of Jesus, presenting the Gospel, and asking people if they were ready to give their lives to Christ.
Garry was a good man, but he knew he wasn’t good enough. He knew that the penalty of his sin was death, and he couldn’t pay his debt, but Christ did. Garry believed the Gospel, which says, “…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3b-4) He believed that “If we confess our sins, He (Jesus) is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) He believed that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son (Jesus), so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
For Garry, this life was but a vapor, appearing for a little while, and then vanishing. He was not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we are confident that he entered Heaven hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21)
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones. Psalm 116:15
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My condolences to the family he was a great saxophone player I really enjoyed his music and speech through the gospel. My prayers go out to you .
Our sincerest condolences to the JESPERSEN family. We were saddened to hear the news but I am sure it is a joyful day in heaven. I have such fond memories growing up with the Jespersen family. Whenever Gary was around the room was full of electric energy, laughter, and jokes. It was so much fun. I was always convinced that he had a clown nose because whenever you pushed it, it would make a loud trumpet sound. We are so sorry for your loss Brenda, Karen, Diane, Vi, and the rest of the family. To me, he will always be remembered as Uncle Garry!