Florence E. Gentges

Florence Gentges, long-time resident of St. Marys died at 1:44 p.m.,Tuesday, March 22, at Rossville Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center at the age of 96 years and 7 months. She had suffered from gradually worsening dementia for about 16 years, having been cared for at home by her daughter Mary after her husband Charles’ death in 2006. “Flossie” had been a resident at Rossville for the past 14 months, where she was much loved by the staff. She was born in Farmington, Missouri, September 7, 1914, the daughter of Adam and Eulila Schwartz, and baptized in St. Joseph’s Church. A faithful Catholic all her life, Florence attended St. Joseph’s Grade School through eighth grade, and graduated from Farmington High School. She worked at the Farmington Laundry owned by her future father-in-law B.T. Gentges, and at the Farmington Press newspaper and office supply store. She and her sister Mary were among the founding members of an early Legion of Mary group at St.Joseph’s. She and Charles R. Gentges were friends at work and in parish organizations. In 1941 when Charles was drafted into the U.S. Infantry they began a four-year correspondence, during which Charles proposed. They did not see each other again until spring of 1945 when a severe injury brought Charles back from Italy to Winter General Hospital, Topeka, Kansas. On October 27, 1945 they were married at St. Joseph’s Church in Farmington, and resided there for the early years of their marriage. One daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was born to them. In 1951 the couple purchased a small auto parts store in Fayette, Missouri. In 1953 (after investigating St. Marys, Kansas as a possible store location and deciding against it), they switched to the Ben Franklin variety franchise, and operated small store in Sedalia, Missouri, which they later moved to Warrensburg, Missouri. In the mid-1960's they moved to Colorado where they ran a small family-operated variety store in Broomfield, and later in Windsor, Colorado, until their retirement in 1982. Their daughter came to St.Mary’s in 1982, and in 1984 Florence and Charles joined her and have resided on Bertrand Street ever since. Florence was a long-time member of Assumption Chapel at St. Mary’s College, and was currently a member of St. John Vianney Latin Mass Community in Maple Hill. Florence had worked daily in the family retail business, but also found time for extensive sewing. She was noted for her skill in all kinds of needlework, but especially as a seamstress, making all of her own clothing. She was also a Rosary maker, and had made thousands of Rosaries. Florence and Charles had been married for just over 60 years when he died February 13, 2006. She had one brother Henry, who died in infancy, and a sister Mary Agnes Schwartz who died in 1998. She was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters-in-law. Her last sister-in-law, Nancy Gentges Janson, 89, of Portland, Oregon, died a few hours earlier than Florence, on the same day: March 22, 2011. Florence is survived by her daughter Mary E. Gentges of St. Marys. Visitation and Rosary will held at Piper Funeral Home, St. Marys, and the Requiem funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John Vianney on March 26, followed by burial in the family plot at Mount Calvary, St. Marys. Mary requests that Masses be offered for the repose of Florence’s soul. Memorials can be made to St. John Vianney Building Fund, 14611B Waterman Crossing Road, Maple Hill, Kansas 66507.

Florence E. Gentges

September 7, 1914 - March 22, 2011