John D. "Jay" Bieren

John (Jay) D. Bieren

John D. Bieren, better known to his friends and family as Jay, a lifelong Moscow resident, died Sunday, October 18, 2015 at Sacred Heart Medical Center. He had just turned 70. Jay was born October 14, 1945 in Moscow to Leo H. and Eleanor Broemeling Bieren. He grew up and attended St. Mary's Catholic School, where he also served as an altar boy, and graduated from Moscow High School in 1963. Jay went to work at Sanitary Meat Cutters in Moscow where he learned the meat-cutting trade. He then went to work in the meat department at Rosaurer's and at a young age became the meat manager of Rosaurer's Pullman Store. He remained in that position until November of 1970. In 1970, he and his brother Keith purchased Trammel beer and wine distributorship, renaming it Bieren Distributors. They owned and operated it until December of 1995, selling the business to Odom Corporation of Seattle. Jay later went to work at the Moscow post office until 2007, retiring on his 62nd birthday. Jay served in the Idaho National Guard for twelve years, was a member of the Junior Jay-cees, the Knights of Columbus. In his later years, he enjoyed working around the house, in his yard and boating, but nothing came before his dedication to his family. He and his family had just returned from a trip to Disneyland a few days before his death. He and Janice Calene were married on September 6, 1969 in Troy, ID. She survives at their Moscow home. Also surviving are his children, Jacque and Tom Gerdes of Junction City, OR, Lisa and Erik Geidl of Moscow and Chad and Sarah Bieren of Bellevue, WA. He also leaves his grandchildren, Zach, Mikayla, Brandon, and Estifanos Gerdes, Brendan and Madison Geidl, and John and Michael Bieren, along with a brother, Keith (Marlene) Bieren of Lewiston. Jay was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Jerry in 2006 and Dean in 2014 and his sister-in-law, Jan the same year. Viewing will be Thursday, October 22nd at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. A private service will be held and burial will be at the Moscow Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to St. Mary's School Foundation, P.O. Box 8485, Moscow, ID 83843. Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel, Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.