Gailen Clare Wortley

It is with great sadness, yet celebration of a healthy, long, Christ-focused life, that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Gailen Wortley.

Gailen was born August 1, 1924, in Woodland, Michigan, to William and Maude (VanBrocklin) Wortley. The fifth of five children, he helped his father farm and enjoyed raising livestock, going to the show, and roller skating.

In 1945, Gailen’s best friend, Jerry Bates, arranged a date for him with Maxine Bates, Jerry’s cousin. Gailen and his sweetheart continued a long-distance relationship while Maxine attended North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, and then Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. They married August 8, 1947, and celebrated their 76th anniversary in 2023.

Gailen attended Michigan Agriculture College (now Michigan State University). He spent his career as agricultural supervisor in the Forestry Department at MSU, retiring in 1981 after 35 years of service. Throughout his career he raised 2 million tree seedlings each year, some of which were planted in national forests, the others here in Michigan, among other forestry-related tasks.

His love of nature extended beyond his profession. One of Gailen’s greatest joys was gardening. He could often be found in the yard of their home on Melrose Avenue in East Lansing, where they lived for 53 years. His annual vegetable garden was bountiful and his flower beds meticulous. After moving into Great Lakes Christian Home in Holt in 2016, he enjoyed watching and identifying birds that flocked to his birdfeeders and bird bath.

The ultimate provider for his family, Gailen took a second job at Meijer in Okemos to ensure his children had a 100% paid for college education. What a lifelong gift! He worked in multiple positions over 19 years at Meijer.

Gailen was also the ultimate partner to his wife, Mick, as he called her. Their love story is one for the ages. Together they enjoyed attending MSU sporting events (he was a football season ticket holder beginning in 1952, in addition to basketball and hockey); camping across the United States and later traveling to faraway destinations; attending craft shows where he gathered ideas for his woodworking projects and she for weaving baskets; and spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Together Gailen and Maxine were their loved ones’ biggest fans and supporters, attending countless football, soccer, and hockey games, color guard performances, band and choir recitals, tennis matches, track and swim meets, plays, graduations, birthday celebrations, and weddings.

Together they built a Christian home, and Gailen’s life reflected his commitment to faith, service, and caring for others. Attending and being actively involved in Lansing United Brethren Church followed by Pennway Church of God in Lansing were mainstays in his life. He served on boards, attended mission trips, visited those who were sick in the hospital or at home, and he and Maxine led a small group bible study in their home for years until the pandemic.

Gailen also served for many years as a ramp guard manager at Spartan Stadium, bleeding green through and through. Although Gailen’s demeanor was consistently calm and gentle no matter the situation, he could be surprisingly boisterous when his team was playing. Watching Spartan football and basketball on television gave him something to look forward to toward the end of his life.

Having lived nearly 100 years, Gailen is preceded in death by many loved ones, including his parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and in-laws. Our family feels a sense of peace knowing he has been reunited with them in heaven. What a celebration that undoubtedly was!

Surviving Gailen is Maxine (96), his beloved wife of 76 years; five children, Kathy (Lars) Andersen, Jay/Warren (Mary) Wortley, Greg (Amy) Wortley, Karen (John) Kleinert, and Dana Lawrence; 15 grandchildren, Jeremy Andersen, Erin Sisty (Josh Wright), Abby (Darren) Brown, Marisa (Dan) Gardner, Emily (Jared) Kimber, Grant Wortley, Katelyn Hanna-Wortley (John Gilpatrick), William Wortley, Jairus Kleinert, Anna (CJ) Veverka, Jonathan Kleinert, Ben Kleinert, Evan Hughes, Alec Hughes, and Peyton Hughes; 10 great-grandsons; sister-in-law Dorothy Bickert (93); nephews Jeff Bickert, Duane Schaibly, Ron Wortley, David Wortley, LeRoy Wortley, and Melvin Wortley; niece Debbie Quisenberry; and great-nephews and great-nieces. Gailen's love for his family and theirs for him know no bounds!

A funeral will be held at Pennway Church of God (1101 East Cavanagh, Lansing, MI 48910) on Thursday, Feburary 1, at 11:30 am. Visitation is Wednesday, January 31, 5-8 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home (1730 East Grand River Avenue, East Lansing, MI 48823), and on February 1 at 10:30-11:30 am, preceding the funeral at Pennway.

Thank you to the caring, compassionate staff at Great Lakes Christian Home in Holt, Holt Senior Care & Rehab Center, and Careline Hospice. They are truly special people who made Gailen’s final years and days enjoyable and comfortable.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pennway Church of God or Michigan State University, in memory of Gailen.

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