Hazel Gentry

Hazel (Brauer) Gentry passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016 at age 97. She was born on Sept. 8, 1918, south of Sidney to Frieda (Kragel) and Richard Brauer. She was the second of five children. She was baptized Sept. 29, 1918 and confirmed April of 1933, both at Trinity Lutheran Church. She attended the one room Lutheran school across the road through the 8th grade. She and her brother, Arnold, then went to work to help support the family during hard times. She initially worked as a housekeeper for one of the local farm families. Eventually, she moved to Sidney where she was cook and housekeeper to the Gehrig family at their home on Illinois Avenue for four years.

She married Carol Gentry on June 25, 1944 at Trinity Lutheran Church, south of Sidney. They lived in Sidney for six years during which time three children, Ron, Karen and Laverne were born. They moved to Kimball in 1950. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Kimball since 1950. In addition to raising her own children, Hazel cared for Wade and Teresa Walker during the week from birth until they were grown. Hazel also did sewing and alterations for Kimball and the surrounding area for many years.

She is survived by her son, Ron Gentry, Lauderdale Lakes, Fla .; her daughter, Karen (Jon) Fleischer, Aurora, Colo .; grandchildren, Sherrie (John) Yellico, Amy Rice; great-grandchildren, Veronica Rice, Alyssa Rice and Josh Yellico. She is also survived by her sister, Romona Shaw of Sidney; numerous nieces and nephews and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, husband, Carol in 2002, and infant son Lavern Lyle. Special thanks to her niece, Rhonda Shaw for her many visits and loving care during the last years she was at Sloan's Assisted Living and Sidney Extended Care.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Kimball, with Pastor Kenneth Mars officiating. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lutheran Hour in memory of Hazel. Arrangements are under the care of Gehrig-Stitt Chapel. Friends may view Hazel's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.