Gary Josef Cziep

Beloved husband, father, and friend, (Gerfried) Gary Cziep returned to his Heavenly Father, on June 12, 2025 after battling cancer. He leaves a life of service to others, a love of the great outdoors, and family and friends who will greatly miss him on their many exploits. Gary was born in Graz, Austria, the second child and oldest son of Josef and Hildegard Cziep. In 1959, at five-years-old, his family immigrated to the United States, settling in Idaho Falls. Gary grew up working hard alongside his father, mother and siblings. Gary attended schools in Idaho Falls; graduating from Idaho Falls High School in 1972. While attending Ricks College, he met his future wife, Lorraine Clark, while in a hiking class. It was on the Menan Butte, which would eventually be part of their backyard, that they began a life filled with hiking, gardening, service and a deep love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In 1972, Gary left to serve a mission in the Dutch speaking Netherlands Mission. When he returned, he and Lorraine were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on May 2, 1975. Afterward, they made a home in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Lorraine finished her internship at LDS Hospital. They would live a short time in Lewisville, finally settling into their home in Menan, where he would live the rest of his life.

Gary finished his college career with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Idaho State University. What followed is easily described as a long, tiresome, but greatly rewarding career teaching High School German, U.S. Government and English at Bonneville Junior High and High School. Gary left a legacy of humor, practical jokes, caring concern for his students, and many moments of exploring the world beyond the classroom. Gary often took his students on study abroad trips, and encouraged them to grow and develop a love of life-long learning.

Gary, a life-long Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, served whole-heartedly in various callings and assignments throughout his life. He treasured his time in service within his ward families. Toward the end of his life, Gary had a long-wished for experience to serve a mission with Lorraine. Together, they spent 18-months in the service of the people of Fiji, on the island of Taveuni. There Gary served as a Counselor to the Mission President of the Fiji Islands Mission. This experience, along with all of his other callings, from nursery leader to Bishop, allowed Gary to serve and love those around him. He was often seen assisting others with lawn projects, mowing, fixing sprinkler systems, shoveling snow, fixing water heaters, or whatever else someone might need help with. If you called, you knew that Gary would show up and lend a helping hand.

Almost equal to his love of the church, was Gary’s love of the great outdoors. From mountaineering, spelunking, hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, deep sea fishing and eventually captaining his own small boat in Fiji, if you were outside with Gary, he was sure to share part of his immense knowledge of the flora and fauna around you. Often when hiking with his grandchildren, he would pause to explain and wonder at the difference in one tree compared to one growing next to it. He loved to share a new outdoor discovery with those he loved, taking family to his favorite four-wheeling spots, showing them petroglyphs in the desert, or encouraging everyone that the end of the hike was just around the next corner or just over the next hill.

A seasoned world traveler, Gary traveled the world with students, friends, and family. Gary and Lorraine shared a love of travel, and one of their favorite places to be together was in Fiji. Their love of scuba diving was perfected diving the SomoSomo Strait and the Rainbow Reef for over 20 years. Gary and Lorraine loved and served the people of Tavenui, and loved their home there. The friends, much like family, made on the island will greatly miss Gary, his kindness, sense of adventure, and moments of service.

Gary treasured his family, and deeply- loved his wife, Lorraine. Gary and Lorraine were blessed with five children, whom they took on many escapades. Gary led by example, and did his best to show his children how to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, how to work hard, help others and to remember to play hard too. He leaves them with a legacy of love, hard work, and rich memories.

Gary will be sorely missed by all who knew him, and leaves a strong testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and His eternal plan of happiness.

He is survived by his wife Lorraine, his children David (Kristie) of Loudon, TN, Steven (Natalie) of Idaho Falls, ID, LeAnn (Cris) Moss of Winslow, AZ, and Matthew (Jordyn) of Lenoir City, TN. He leaves 17 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. His Brother Wilford (Kelly) Cziep, his sister Dorothy (Dale) Hallock of Idaho Falls, and his mother Hildegard Cziep, who all reside in Idaho Falls.

Gary was preceded in death by his son Andrew Cziep, and father Josef Cziep.

Funeral Services will be held at the Menan Stake Center (698 N 3600 E Menan, ID 83434) Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. The family will visit with friends, Wednesday, June 18, 2025 form 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Eckersell Funeral Home (101 West Main Street, Rigby, ID 83442) and Thursday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the Stake Center. Interment will follow at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery.