1919
Jean
2016
Jean Larson Gentz
July 26, 1919 — June 14, 2016
Jean Larson Gentz, 96, died Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at LifeSong Residence in Fergus Falls.
Jean Larson Gentz was born July 26, 1919, to Ranard and Jakobina “Bena” Larson of Washburn, N.D. She attended rural schools and graduated in 1936 from the Washburn High School. Jean married Glenn A. Gentz on April 29, 1938.
Jean taught in rural schools for 12 years and served as Deputy Superintendent of McLean County Schools during World War II. She graduated cum laude from Minot University and was honored as a “Who’s Who” among students. She taught English and drama at the Bismarck High School and was remembered for her rendition of the “The Robe” and each Christmas “Gloria”. She continued her education at Jamestown College and received her Master’s Degree from the University of Iowa.
Jean and Glenn had one daughter, Leigh N Gervais (John) and two grandsons, Trevor and Lucas. Her family was the love of her life.
They moved to Fargo, ND, where she served as an Administrative Secretary for Vocational Rehabilitation, then for the Area Health Education. She also served as a board member on the University Staff at the time the Medical School was enriched from a two year program to a four year program. She served as Administrator of the Arthritis Center which had 16 doctors in various medical disciplines. She was then selected to head the North Dakota – South Dakota Arthritis Foundation. She was a life member of the Washburn American Legion Auxiliary.
In retirement, their first move was to Littleton, CO to follow their daughter’s figure skating career. Jean and Glenn began spending winters in Arizona and summers at their lake home near Detroit Lakes. A move to Fergus Falls was made in 2002 to be closer to their daughter and family.
Glenn passed away in 2003. Jean lived in her own special apartment at the Gervais home for the next few years. Eventually, she decided she would enjoy the social atmosphere of the Mill Street Residence, which she did immensely, visiting often with other residents and staff.
The last 2 ½ years of her life was spent at the loving, caring home of the LifeSong Residence.
Jean made these transitions with such grace, continuing as she did throughout her life to rejoice in the Lord’s day. She and her family were truly blessed by the care she received at these facilities.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers, Hugo Larson & Elmo (Bernice) Larson; sister, Leona (Harold) Ziegler; half-brothers, Victor and Marvin Thorstenson; half-sisters, Rose Tjenstrom and Hannah Thorstenson; and her niece, Lorna (Mylon) Ash.
Survivors include her daughter, Leigh (John) Gervais of Fergus Falls; grandsons, Trevor (Laura) Gervais of Fergus Falls and Lucas Gervais of Omaha, NE; nieces, Sande (Arden) Wagner and Berna Jo (Michael) Kidd, both of Washburn, ND; as well as numerous extended family members.
In lieu of flowers memorials are requested to LifeSong Residence.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Saul Stensvaag
Interment: 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2016, at Riverview Cemetery, Washburn, ND
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN
Jean Larson Gentz was born July 26, 1919, to Ranard and Jakobina “Bena” Larson of Washburn, N.D. She attended rural schools and graduated in 1936 from the Washburn High School. Jean married Glenn A. Gentz on April 29, 1938.
Jean taught in rural schools for 12 years and served as Deputy Superintendent of McLean County Schools during World War II. She graduated cum laude from Minot University and was honored as a “Who’s Who” among students. She taught English and drama at the Bismarck High School and was remembered for her rendition of the “The Robe” and each Christmas “Gloria”. She continued her education at Jamestown College and received her Master’s Degree from the University of Iowa.
Jean and Glenn had one daughter, Leigh N Gervais (John) and two grandsons, Trevor and Lucas. Her family was the love of her life.
They moved to Fargo, ND, where she served as an Administrative Secretary for Vocational Rehabilitation, then for the Area Health Education. She also served as a board member on the University Staff at the time the Medical School was enriched from a two year program to a four year program. She served as Administrator of the Arthritis Center which had 16 doctors in various medical disciplines. She was then selected to head the North Dakota – South Dakota Arthritis Foundation. She was a life member of the Washburn American Legion Auxiliary.
In retirement, their first move was to Littleton, CO to follow their daughter’s figure skating career. Jean and Glenn began spending winters in Arizona and summers at their lake home near Detroit Lakes. A move to Fergus Falls was made in 2002 to be closer to their daughter and family.
Glenn passed away in 2003. Jean lived in her own special apartment at the Gervais home for the next few years. Eventually, she decided she would enjoy the social atmosphere of the Mill Street Residence, which she did immensely, visiting often with other residents and staff.
The last 2 ½ years of her life was spent at the loving, caring home of the LifeSong Residence.
Jean made these transitions with such grace, continuing as she did throughout her life to rejoice in the Lord’s day. She and her family were truly blessed by the care she received at these facilities.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brothers, Hugo Larson & Elmo (Bernice) Larson; sister, Leona (Harold) Ziegler; half-brothers, Victor and Marvin Thorstenson; half-sisters, Rose Tjenstrom and Hannah Thorstenson; and her niece, Lorna (Mylon) Ash.
Survivors include her daughter, Leigh (John) Gervais of Fergus Falls; grandsons, Trevor (Laura) Gervais of Fergus Falls and Lucas Gervais of Omaha, NE; nieces, Sande (Arden) Wagner and Berna Jo (Michael) Kidd, both of Washburn, ND; as well as numerous extended family members.
In lieu of flowers memorials are requested to LifeSong Residence.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2016, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Saul Stensvaag
Interment: 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 20, 2016, at Riverview Cemetery, Washburn, ND
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jean Larson Gentz, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, June 17, 2016
1:00 - 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
First Lutheran Church
Service
Friday, June 17, 2016
Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
First Lutheran Church
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