Gerald Alan Tanskanen

Gerald Alan Tanskanen, 82, of Laurel, MT died on July 28, 2024. He was born in Minneapolis, MN on April 15, 1942 to Elmer and Bertha (Adele) Tanskanen. He attended various schools throughout Washington State and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1959. After graduating from high school, he was a student at Pacific Lutheran University for a year, but he decided that trade school was a more lucrative option. Around this time, he worked with his father at Boeing in Seattle, WA, which nurtured his interest in aviation. Since he was interested in aviation; the Clover Park Vocational-Technical School became his Alma Mater in 1961. In 1962, he enlisted in the Army Reserves where he drove the beer truck, which made him very popular with his fellow enlisted men. Later he also joined the Merchant Marine Vessel African Dawn, which disembarked from New York City bound for the African coast of Mozambique. After he was honorably discharged; he traveled from Washington state to Montana and began working at Burlington Northern Sante Fe as a radio technician. This fateful move to the Treasure State led him to meet his future wife at a party. They courted for six years before he proposed. Jerry is survived by his sisters, Anita Hicks and Nancy Moore (Dwight), his children; Jason, Shelley, and Lisa, as well as his nieces (Linda Stott and Tara Eaton) and nephews (Carl Hicks and Ryan Moore). Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Shirley. A celebration of life will take place at 6pm, at the American Legion at 1540 Broadwater Ave. Billings Montana.