Gerald (Jerry) Byron Wandler
The oldest of the three children of Spokane racing legend, Byron Wandler, and acknowledged saint Evelyn Wandler, Jerry Wandler was born June 24, 1944, at Fort George Wright while his father was liberating Europe during World War II.
He grew up in Spokane, where he attended Catholic primary school and got into mischief. He graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1962 and enlisted in the Marines, serving a tour in Vietnam. He earned an Associate's Degree at Spokane Falls Community College, a Bachelor's degree in Education from Eastern Washington State College in 1972 and completed a Master's degree in Education in 1995.
He spent his teaching career at Medical Lake High School where he taught shop, small engine mechanics and mathematics for over 30 years.
In the '70s, Jerry raised three children and hauled them around on vacations in the touring bus of an avant-garde dance troupe that he converted into a family camper. Christened "Creme de la Creme," it was hard to miss its multicolored paint as he piloted it around the northwest to campgrounds, ghost towns, rockhounding and the Oregon coast. Jerry was a regular at Saint Vinnie's and expertly repurposed salvaged building materials.
In Troy, Montana, Wanzy met the love of his life, Andrea "Annie" Huisentruit, and helped raise her son. They purchased the iconic Troy drive-in "R Place" in 1997 and he commuted weekly between Spokane and NW Montana until he relocated to Big Sky Country. He and Andrea were married at their home in the summer of 2003, and began an annual tradition of hosting themed events at Wandler's R&R.
Parties at their place on Savage Lake were epic. Family and friends came from hundreds of miles to get on the dance floor with Wanzy when favorites by Van Halen and Fleetwood Mac were played. Live music and laughter echoed off the Cabinet Mountains until late into the night
Jerry was never one to rest and worked as an adjunct faculty member and Adult Basic Education instructor with Flathead Valley Community College/Libby, and it was there that he helped many earn their GEDs.
Wanzy helped form the Troy Snowmobile Club and was its president for 20 years. During that time, he wrote grants to build the Keeler warming shelter and the groomer building and collaborated with stakeholders for multiuse forest recreation. He played recreational hockey for over 50 years and was generous with his time with family and friends - one day he'd be clearing brush or getting firewood, the next he'd be helping keep a clunker on the road, and on another he'd be Grand Marshall of the Fourth of July parade. There never seemed to be enough hours in the day.
Grandpa Wandler always made time for his grandchildren. He taught them to fish, pick huckleberries, forage morels, snowmobiles, hike to waterfalls, drive boats, go to sprint car races and by his example, how to enjoy life.
He passed away May 1, 2025, at his home near Troy, MT., in a place that he often referred to as Paradise.
Jerry Wandler is survived by his loving wife Andrea; his children JJ Wandler, Jason (Carrie) Wandler, Jennifer (John) Van Tuyl, and Jacob Shaver; his seven grandchildren (Lachlan, Lily, Opal, Hailey, Ruby, Avrey, and Chloë); his brother Jim Wandler and sister Julie Covell; his extended Huisentruit family; and countless nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents By and Evie Wandler.
There is a visitation from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Schnackenberg Funeral Home Chapel in Libby, Montana.
A funeral service is at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Troy Community Baptist Church; 725 E. Missoula Ave; Troy, Montana.
Following the service there will be an interment at the Huisentruit Family Cemetery with military honors, and reception to follow.
Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg Funeral Home of Libby, Montana. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.