Overcast and dreary was the December 2019 day that Peter Jahr, the most loving husband and dad of two, joined God in Heaven.
Sixty-two years ago on a brisk Calgary, Canada October morning Pete entered the world. Georg and Erika Jahr were thrilled to be hold their sweet baby boy with his snow white hair and big blue eyes, as they watched the snow fall shortly after Pete’s birth.
Pete had moved to Selah at the age of 5 were he grew up going to school, becoming a very proud US citizen and falling in love with his future wife.
In 1978 Pete awoke to a fresh spring rain and as the tulips and daisies rose from the ground, Pete was blessed to marry not only his beloved wife but best friend Lonni (Yerty) Jahr.
They raised two daughters with many laughs and even more love. Sunni (Tapscott) and Summer (Clark) will hold Pete in their heart as “Daddy Big Guy” forever.
They have made so many happy MEMORIES together over their 43 years.
Pete was a diligent worker all his life and took pride in all he did. He worked as a beer & wine salesman for nearly 20 years. Then Pete took over the family business making it blossom into what most know as, Jahrs Sausage.
It was said that he is “famous in a small town.” However, while he worked hard to give the best product to people for them to enjoy, the sausage wasn’t the only part that people cherished about Jahrs Sausage, it was Pete himself! Anyone that knew Pete will say they appreciated his kind heart, laugh and ability to sit back and have a cold one just BSing.
Pete was not just a prosperous entrepreneur but a beloved husband, dad, son, brother and friend that words cannot be found to describe.
Pete, Lonni, Sunni and Summer would often be found up Goose Prairie camping. Between tending the fire he would read books with Lonni (while holding hands at the fireside), gold pan with Sunni, and hike with Summer.
In later years you would find them at the beach during storm season as he enjoyed watching the waves crash against each other. He cherished each vacation he got to take to the Oregon Coast with Lonni and the times his children and grandchildren got to join. When not at the beach he enjoyed others trips with Lonni at cabins in the woods. Sometimes just a simple camping getaway around the fire with a good book, the birds chirping, Lonni by his side and the grandchildren laughing gave him the largest of smiles.
Lonni, their daughters and their six grandchildren (his grandchildren will always remember him as their papa meat) were the light of his life. You would often find him sneaking them into the conversations he had. He was so proud to call each of them his.
The best description of Pete is as follows, “I Love Your Daddy ... Petey was there when I lost my Daddy many years ago. He was Always Kind To Me from that day forward.
“He was ‘Always Give and No Take.’
“He Taught Me to be Strong and Know that he Always Loved Me. I Never Had A Doubt Where His Heart was!!!
“We Never Had A Cross Word in 44 Years. I Cannot Name Many People in this World that I was Never, Ever Angry with. We had Love and Respect for each other every day of our Lives.
“That’s Really Remarkable when you think about it… Pete is So Honest, So Big Hearted, So Hard Working, So Sincere.
“The Lord did NOT Bless this Earth with many men like Your Daddy…
“I have No Doubt that Myrnie and Grandpa Wes are holding him right now. Nobody had a Bigger Bear Hug than Petey.
“I Love Him Forever.
“He is Your Angel Now and Forever.”
These words were written by Pete’s brother in law and sum him up so well. Pete did absolutely give the best of bear hugs. His arms would fully engulf you as he growled, squeezing all your burdens and troubles away. The world will no longer be the same without those hugs and that beautiful heart.
“He was really a successful person – He had a great family, an occupation that he enjoyed, and a person he loved to live life with – That’s Success!”
Pete is survived by his wife Lonni (Honey, we grew up together, we worked together, we learned life’s lessons together, we loved each other for 44 years. Your life was well done, you did a fantastic job! I love you! Lou), his two daughters and sons in law, Sunni (Forrest) Tapscott, and Summer (Jason) Clark; his six beautiful grandbabies, Tanner, MaKenze, MaKala, Dale, Autumn and McKara; his parents Georg and Erika Jahr; sisters Barb Jahr, and Lori (Casey) Kass; brother Lee (Carrie) Yerty; niece Carli (Tyler) Schademan; nephews Ryan Jahr, Carson Kass, and Cody (Tanya) Kass; along with his great niece and nephew.
He thought of what David said to Solomon. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.
There will not be a memorial for Pete, just a simple get away with Lonni and all his kids.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Airlift Northwest in Memorial of Pete.
Donations can be contributed at www.acceleratemed.org/Jahr , or to UW Foundation at UW Medicine Advancement, Box 358045, Seattle, Wa. 98195-8045; with Airlift NW/Jahr in memo line.