Marie K. Gentry

Marie Gentry January 17, 1925 July 7, 2009 God brought a beautiful person, Marie Gentry, into this world for all of us to experience and enjoy. God took her peacefully home to be with him on Tuesday, July 7, 2009. At 84, Marie remained a simple yet strong woman of faith. She was a mother to all those she encountered. She was a good teacher of life and hope. Her compassion for others was exemplified in all the lives she touched, not to mention her 22 year career at the VA hospital caring for others. Her heart of gold touched everyone. Marie was born in Topeka, KS on January 17, 1925 and Baptized at St. Ann's Catholic Church. Her family was German immigrants that moved to Russia to farm the land when invited by the Queen. They escaped Russia when the Queen died and there was civil unrest. Her and her 13 siblings were first generation Americans. When her brothers joined the Army during WWII, she had to leave school at 8th grade to work the family beet farm in the mid-west. She married young and had five children. She is survived by four of her five children; Daniel Gentry of Wickenburg, AZ, Larry Gentry of Glen Eden, OR, Donna McLaird of Vancouver, WA, and Pamela Simonsen of Vancouver, WA. She is also survived by one brother, Joesph Resch of Fresno, CA, 19 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren. Her loves in life included spending time with her children and grandchildren, dancing, strawberry ice cream, bread with butter and jam, and visits with family to reflect on stories of the past. She lived her life as her father guided: Do all you can do today, tomorrow is unknown. All of us will remember you as a loving mother, sister, friend, grandmother, and great grandmother. Mostly our guardian angel! I will miss you and will reflect on your wisdom throughout my life. God Bless You Mom, may you be dancing with angels and feel the soft breeze of their wings. I love you, Donna. Marie's Family: Daniel, Larry, Donna, Pamela, Barb, Nancy, Shelly, Robert, Jerry, Matt, Mike, DeLina, DeAnna, LyAnnette, Kenneth, Shelli, Tonya, Megan, Andrea, Rachele, Christina, Davin, Robert Jr., Thomas, Joshua, Brandon, Curtis, Nicolas, Michael Jr., Kenneth, Cody, Alexander, Hailey, Danny, Dusty, Spencer, Alieah, Auzsha, Panda, Andon, Penelope, and Brock. A Funeral Mass service will be held at Our Lady of Lord's Catholic Church, Vancouver, WA on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service at the church with graveside services at Evergreen Memorial Gardens at 2:00 p.m. Flowers can be sent to Evergreen Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, July 14 for viewing and services Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marie's name to the American Diabetes Association.

Marie K. Gentry

January 17, 1925 - July 7, 2009