Gail Kathleen (Carlson) Jensen, born March 3, 1956, in Troy, to Rodney (Bruce) and Ethel (Essie) Carlson of Dry Creek, Idaho, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

Gail attended Troy High School and graduated in 1973. In the fall of 1973, she started college at the University of Idaho, and in 1978 graduated with a degree in elementary and secondary education.

After graduating, Gail joined Deary High School as an English teacher and taught there for 27 years. During that time, Gail spent her summers teaching at Upward Bound, a job dedicated to serving underprivileged youth, and a job she found truly rewarding. For the last nine years of her career, Gail transitioned to Bovill Elementary School, where she taught first grade. In 2014, “Mrs. J” retired after 36 years in the education system. After retiring, Gail realized she couldn’t continue to read three Nora Roberts’ books in one day, so she went back to work part-time at Troy High School in the special education department.

On Aug. 9, 1980, Gail married the love of her life, Dennis Jensen, a fellow teacher at Deary High School. At the same time, she became an adoring and committed stepmom to Taralyn and Trista. They settled just outside of Troy at “the ranch.” Their life together was well spent — cheering at ball games, taking drives, peaceful hours on the deck, and enjoying adventures both near and far. They found joy in both the extraordinary and simple moments of their lives. Life became sweeter in January of 1992, when Dennis and Gail welcomed their daughter, Tai Nichelle. Life couldn’t get any better.

Gail had a knack for many things: photography, scrapbooking, cooking, puzzles, reading, gardening and teaching. She was creative, witty, selfless and strong. She loved a cold Pepsi and a fresh bag of Lay’s potato chips. She believed that education was essential and powerful, and believed in true equality for every person. She favored red licorice, strawberry shortcake with Klicker’s berries, and a Hershey’s bar or Idaho Spud. Are you sensing a theme? Gail loved a girls’ weekend spent shopping, laughing and eating. She spent countless hours with her cherished “book club” that didn’t read many books. She was predictable until it came to her humor.

Growing up, Gail could be described as a “goodie-two-shoes,” but her siblings, Ron and Jill, knew better than that. Gail could blurt out a one-liner that stopped us in our tracks. More than anything, however, Gail loved her grandbabies. They were the absolute joy of her life.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 46 years, Dennis Jensen; daughter Tai (Tory) Bye; step-daughters Taralyn Jensen and Trista (Rob) Cunningham; grandchildren Chyler Jones (16), Jesse Cunningham (12), Breckyn Bye (7), Taysom Bye (5) and twins Hendrick and Conway Bye (18 months); sister Jill (Gary) Carlson-Balmer; sister-in-law Sandra Carlson, and a long list of cherished friends and extended family members who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Ronald Carlson.

As much as Gail loved flowers, a donation to your local public library or the Distinguished Young Women of Troy would be greatly appreciated.

We plan to celebrate Gail at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Deary High School gymnasium with a reception to follow. All who knew and loved her are welcome. Come hungry, she would have wanted you to.