In Memory
Gary Lee Kiemnec
Apr 11, 1947 - Feb 11, 2025
Gary Lee Kiemnec, 77, of Boise, Idaho, passed away peacefully in his residence on February 11, 2025. Born on April 11, 1947 in South Bend, Indiana, he was a beloved son of the late Leo Kiemnec and Genevieve Jozwiak.
Gary grew up in South Bend and was a graduate of Clay High School. Gary continued his education by earning a bachelor’s degree in Botany from Indiana University, a Master’s from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in Soil Science from Oregon State University. He dedicated his professional career to studying and teaching agriculture, employed as a professor for Oregon State University’s Agriculture and Natural Resource Program at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Oregon for more than 25 years.
Many of Gary’s favorite pastimes involved being outdoors. His children fondly remember summers filled with fishing and camping in eastern Oregon, winters of sledding and ice fishing, and the joy he took in teaching them the game of tennis. His love of gardening was evident in the bountiful garden he kept and his contributions to La Grande’s farmer’s market. Gary also had a passion for cooking, especially using his own produce in Polish dishes that honored his heritage.
In 2023, Gary moved from La Grande to Boise, Idaho to be closer to his son’s family. During his time in Boise, he enjoyed playing cards and games with friends at Morningstar of Boise, where he found a welcoming community.
Gary is survived by his brother Gregory Kiemnec, his former wife, Dianne Lewis, and their three children (Karen Kiemnec-Tyburczy, Andrew Kiemnec, and Teresa Kiemnec) and his three grandchildren (Jonathan Tyburczy, Katherine Tyburczy and Cali Kiemnec). In remembrance of Gary’s life, the family asks that charitable donations be made to the Statewide Master Gardener Program Fund (through the Oregon State University Foundation) or to CurePSP, a foundation supporting research on neurological diseases.
A funeral mass for Gary will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church in South Bend, Indiana on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. Gary will be buried in St. Joseph Cemetery in South Bend.
03/10/2025 EJS
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