Building Beyond the Walls

10/08/2026

Sharing sad news today. Michael was a friend to so many on the property where we do our trainings and the recipient of the beautiful deck and ramp our volunteer built for him when he recieved his new Tiny Home almost two years ago. He always had such a great smile. He will be greatly missed.

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Michael Lane, lovingly known as “the Grizz.” A Vietnam veteran, Mike was a kind, gentle man whose eccentric ways were part of what made him dear to us. He knew hardship and lived on his own terms, but through his struggles, he carried a heart of gold. We wish everyone could have known the man we loved.

In his own way, Mike was the founder of Operation Tiny Home. In 2014, we came together to help him find safe housing, inspired by his love of tiny homes and the freedom and independence they could offer. It took courage to accept help, and none of us could have imagined how far that act of trust would reach.

What began with Mike grew into a nationwide organization supporting veterans, disaster survivors, elders, and others seeking stability through tiny housing. Our programs have reached more than 50 communities and brought hundreds of people together to learn, build, and help their neighbors. Before all those new beginnings, there was Mike, giving us a reason to begin.

It was our honor to serve him with our first tiny home and, years later, a second home where he was able to pass peacefully. Along the way, he became family. Whenever he could, he sent OTH a $25 donation, grateful for the help he had received and wanting someone else to have that opportunity. Even with his own challenges, he made room to help another person.

Mike would never have imagined himself leaving a legacy. Yet people he never met have found a home or a new beginning because we came together to help him. We wish we could show him how much good grew from his dream and his willingness to let others care.

We honor his service, his wonderfully unconventional spirit, and his generous heart. He created something special in this world, even if he would never have seen it that way himself.

Rest peacefully, Grizz. We love you, and we will miss you. Your story belongs to the heart of Operation Tiny Home, and we will carry it with us as we continue the work you inspired.

10/05/2026

If you have ever participated in any event, there are hours and hours of behind the scenes prep work and we could not do all our life changing programs without our amazing volunteers!

Saturday was another fun day with a few of our incredible volunteers!

Taking advantage of the nice weather, Alonna, Judie, Joseph, Mark and I worked to get the barn ready for our next Flagship class in January! Go to www.BuildingBeyondtheWalls.Org to learn more about our free construction classes!

09/04/2026

We all have seasons in our lives. I love it when our graduates come back to volunteer! Maria graduated four years ago and came to our fundraising meeting.

Not only did she surprise me with her presence but she had also talked her boss from Shope Concrete Products into giving us a nice donation! Thank you Maria and Shope!

08/31/2026

Jerry Vandenberg Obituary and Celebration of Life

Jerry was such a big part of Building Beyond the Walls and helped us grow with his knowledge, experience and love for the industry. Jerry was especially passionate about bringing youth into the construction industry. Our Building Kids programs developed out of this passion. Please join us as we celebrate his incredible life!

Gerald Vandenberg (Jerry) Obituary

WA - Gerald "Jerry" Vandenberg, 86, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026. Born April 13, 1940, in Glasgow, Montana, Jerry built a life rooted in family, friendship, service, and community. He and his beloved wife, Marsha, shared 62 years of marriage, raising their children, Nicole and Jason, and delighting in their grandsons, Blake and Brayden.



Jerry was the older brother of Carolyn ("Carey") Gannaw, a treasured uncle and brother-in-law, and a cherished member of a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis ("Dutch") and Elizabeth ("Betty") Vandenberg, and his brothers, Ronald and Dwayne.



Jerry grew up in West Seattle, attending Holy Rosary and O'Dea High School before joining the U.S. Navy at 17. He returned to Seattle in 1962, where he met Marsha Brown. They married in 1964 and moved to Lake Tapps in 1971 to raise their family. Jerry earned degrees in History and Business from the University of Washington.



He also built a distinguished career in commercial construction, beginning at Barclay Dean, where he developed his skills in carpentry and eventually became president. He later founded his own company, now known as Jackson Dean Construction.



Service was a constant thread throughout Jerry's life. A devoted Rotarian, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 and served on the boards of numerous nonprofits, including Rotary clubs in Seattle, Bellevue, and Sumner; the Washington State Chapter of the March of Dimes; MOHAI; the Southwest Seattle Historical Society; and Building Beyond the Walls.



Friends were family to Jerry. He treasured lifelong friendships in Seattle, Lake Tapps, Arizona, and beyond. He considered it an honor to mentor young people, help his neighbors, give back to his community, and be there for family and friends. His family invites those who wish to honor his memory to carry that spirit forward.



CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Sunday, September 27th
2:00-5:00 p.m.

Kelley Farm
20021 Sumner Buckley Hwy E
Bonney Lake WA 98381

08/11/2026

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our sweet friend Jerry Vandenberg.

Jerry was instrumental in helping us grow in Pierce County. Jerry served on our Board for six years. His mentoring and friendship will be profoundly missed.

Jerry loved the construction industry! He wanted to share that love with kids. He was the visionary of our Building Kids programs. He understood the value of teaching them when they were young.

But it didn't stop there. Jerry loved to teach to all ages. He wanted to do it right and make it fun. He loved that everything we do has a community impact. Jerry was always eager to help anyone in need. He had a wonderful swagger, and made you feel like the most important person in the room.

We will miss him greatly, but we are all better to have known and worked with Jerry.💕

We will announce memorial plans when they become available.

08/03/2026

Today was our last Building Kids event of the summer and we were so excited to partner with Community Place Northwest at their Enumclaw location!

We taught 14 kiddos how to build bird houses and make rope, with the antique rope making machine! It is so rewarding to see how excited they are to learn and surprised they get to take their projects home!

Thank you Sue and Stephanie for having us out! Thank you to our amazing volunteers, Mark, Chris Schaewe, Bob, Joseph, Judy and Sue Z. Hart, who continue to give of their time and resources to make the events possible! 💞

07/31/2026

07/31/2026

Fun with the Girl Scouts learning new tools!

07/31/2026

Another very exciting day! We had 17 young Girl Scouts come to the training center to build five free libraries!

The day started off late as their bus didn't show up to transport them from camp in Belfair. True to the Girl Scout spirit, they pivoted and piled in two vans to get to the site.

These young women were amazing! They were excited to work and learn how to use new equipment. We all had so much fun! And let me say, if I were a contractor, I we would hire them in a heartbeat!

While they worked hard we couldn't make up the time they lost, so when the return bus showed up, we loaded everything in the back for them to finish at camp.

This incredible day was in partnership with Master Builders Association of Pierce County's Professional Women in Business, Girl Scouts of America and Building Beyond the Walls. I want to give a special shout out to Linda Johnson Jadwin (Kitchen Tune-up) for her efforts to bring us all together!

None of this would be possible without dedicated volunteers. Mark Egner, Joseph Jurey and Founder Sue Z. Hart did a lot of adjusting and pivoting as well. Thanks to PWB sisters, Kat Anderson (Inspired Closets) and Mary Mader (Moda Design & Remodel) for your leadership and help with the girls.

Not only were the girls inspired but they inspired us! The future of construction looks awesome if these girls are any indication of the up and coming work force!