Ferdinand Jauss

FERDINAND JAUSSI IDAHO FALLS, ID --Ferdinand Gottfried Jaussi, age 90, died Tuesday, July 17, 2007, in Orem, Utah. He was born March 31, 1917, in Paris, Idaho, the eldest child of Gottfried Jaussi and Susanna Schlunegger Jaussi converts to the LDS Church and immigrants from Switzerland. He was a long-time resident of Idaho Falls and in 2003, relocated to the Provo-Orem area in Utah. At an early age Ferd worked on his father’s farm in a mountain valley about 3 ½ miles west of Paris. At the age of 14, he was hired to herd sheep, and later worked as a hired hand on a beef ranch. At the death of his father, Ferd and his brother Herman assumed the support of their mother and younger brothers, Harold and August. Ferd graduated from Fielding High School in Paris, Idaho in 1936, and then attended Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho). He was a track star at Ricks College and set a new conference record in the 440-yard dash. At the same track meet he took first place in the 880-yard dash and anchored the 880 yard relay in what was described as a “spectacular 220 yard sprint”. Following graduation from Ricks College in 1939, he enrolled at the University of Idaho where he completed a B.S. degree in Dairy Science in 1942. He immediately enlisted in the United States Navy Air Corp and became a navigator and pilot of B-24 Liberators and the PB2Y Catalina, a twin engine sea plane. He flew 56 missions and gained the rank of Lieutenant (jg). After serving in the Pacific Theater he finished his four-year World War II service in Florida as a PB2Y flight instructor. While stationed on Tinian Island in the Pacific, he flew reconnaissance missions. In a battle with a Japanese freighter, gunfire damaged his plane. The co-pilot was killed, and the pilot was seriously injured. Ferd assumed control of the cockpit and successfully navigated the plane back to the Tinian Island air base through a heavy storm. He sustained the life of the injured pilot by navigating at a low altitude using distant radio bearings and calculations from the height of the ocean waves. Upon his discharge from the military, Ferd attended Utah State University for one year of graduate study in Dairy Manufacturing. While employed as plant foreman for the Utah State Creamery, he developed an outstanding recipe for yogurt. His recipe resulted in a scholarship offer from Pennsylvania State University, but he chose to remain at Utah State. After his studies at Utah State University, he was employed by the Upper Snake River Valley Dairymen Association in Idaho Falls. He later left that employment to return to Paris, Idaho to manage the Bear Lake Valley Dairymen Creamery. In 1955, he returned to the creamery in Idaho Falls as the laboratory manager where he was employed until his retirement in 1982. Ferd Jaussi married Violet Keller on August 31, 1951, in the LDS Salt Lake Temple with the ceremony performed by Elder Ezra Taft Benson. Violet preceded him in death October 23, 1998. They were foster parents to three children, and also cared for both Violet’s father and Ferd’s mother in their parents declining years. Together they purchased and managed rental properties in Idaho Falls. They served faithfully in many positions in the LDS Church including missionary service together in the Colorado Denver Mission and the Idaho Falls Temple Visitors Center. Ferd also served in three LDS ward bishoprics. Ferd was an active member of the American Legion Post 56 and participated in many military burial rites honoring veterans. He also served as a volunteer at the museum in Idaho Falls. Ferd and Violet were active members of the Republican Party and the John Birch Society. They loved and defended the principles of the United States Constitution and taught their nieces and nephews the benefits of a constitutional republic. Ferdinand Jaussi is survived by his three brothers and their wives: Herman and Kathryn Jaussi of Rexburg, Idaho; Harold and Leah Jaussi of Evans, Colorado; August and Laureen Jaussi of Orem, Utah. He is also survived by three nieces, nine nephews and many grand nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, July 23 at the LDS 9th Ward Chapel, 395 2nd Street, Idaho Falls. Friends may offer condolences prior to the services from 11:00 to 11:50 a.m. Graveside services with military rites will be held at the Milo Cemetery in Milo, Idaho immediately following the funeral. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the Ferdinand G. and Violet K. Jaussi Endowed Scholarship Fund, BYU Philanthropies, BYU-Idaho, 220 Kimball Building, Rexburg, ID 83460-1655.