Rose Ellen Gentz,
Rose Ellen Gentz HARVEY – Rose Ellen Mohar Gentz passed away on August 3, 2011, after a valiant fight against liver cancer. She was born October 6, 1933, to Mary (Laurich) and Joseph Mohar in Marquette, Michigan. Her parents were both immigrants from Slovenia (a part of the former Yugoslavia) who came to the USA with their families via Ellis Island. She was raised in Trowbridge Park and attended Bancroft School a short time before transferring to the Cathedral School in Marquette. She graduated from Bishop Baraga High School in 1951. She married Calvert Ronald Gentz at St. Peter’s Cathedral on September 13, 1952. She lived in the Village of Harvey all her married life and was the first to everyone’s door with her casserole or pan of bars should they have any misfortune or were celebrating an occasion. She has been a lifelong member of St. Louis the King Parish since it was established in the Harvey area in the 1950’s. Being charter members included making pasties in the home basement. She served in various roles in the church, always doing more than was expected and made sure all the windows were shining regularly. She was honored by the St. Louis Women’s Club for her many years of service. Her church work also included Eucharistic Adoration at both St. Louis Parish and St. Peter’s Cathedral. Prior to her marriage, Rose was employed at Donckers where she met her lifelong friend Gloria Sleik and in the Treasurer’s Office at the Marquette County Courthouse. She was an aide at Silver Creek School while her children attended there. Later she was employed for about 15 years at Marquette U.P. Medical Center and more recently at the Chocolay Township Offices. Rose and Calvert provided endless hours of hospitality and enjoyment to countless generations of family and friends at their camp at Sand River over the years. Twenty to thirty people (ages 1-80 years and beyond) gathered many weekends talking, eating, playing (growing-up with one another) while Rose made sure each had what they needed to enjoy themselves. Each has their story of fun days at camp. She is survived by her husband Calvert and three children Greg (Pam) of St. John, Indiana, Denise Libby of Harvey and Douglas (Karen) of Marquette; eight grandchildren, Kristi Gentz (Jason) McClure, Lindsay Gentz, Zachary Gentz, Michelle Gentz, Amelia Libby, Augustus Gentz, Gabrielle Gentz and Larson Gentz; two great-grandchildren, Kalen and Garret McClure. Surviving siblings include, Robert (Barb) Mohar of Skandia, Connie (Bob) Favreau of Fenton, Carol Mohar of Logan, Utah, Sheilah Denne of Clarkston and Louis Mohar of Cherry Creek; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Other family members include maternal aunt Christine Laurich (Gene LaChappelle) of Big Bay; maternal uncle Louis (Sharon) Laurich of Cherry Creek; and numerous relatives in Slovenia including a paternal aunt over 100 years of age. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Lake Superior Hospice who provided caring and competent services much appreciated by family members. The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Louis the King Catholic Church on Saturday, August 6, 2011, beginning at 10:00 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon Saturday with Rev. Ben Paris, pastor, as celebrant. A reception will follow in Fr. Gauthier Hall. Burial will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery at 2:00pm on Saturday. The Fassbender Funeral Home is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at www.fassbenderfuneralhome.com