Lorraine Irene (Hoefs) Gentz, age 99, passed away Friday morning, June 28, 2024, at Serenity Gardens, Gillett.
She was born Jan. 7, 1925, to the late Harold (Harry) and Irene (Pitt) Hoefs at Zachow. She graduated from Shawano High School in 1943. On June 14, 1944, she married the love of her life, Morton Gentz at Zion Lutheran Church, Zachow.
She was employed by Pauly Cheese Co. in Zachow. She and her husband worked for Red Owl Stores and later they co-owned and operated Gentz’s Flowers and Greenhouses in Gillett.
Retiring in 1978, they spent 22 years at Finnegan Lake, building a home and caring for flowers, trees and multiple vegetable gardens. In 2000, they moved to apartment living.
Lorraine was very active in local organizations over the years including Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, PTA, American Legion Auxiliary life member, holding offices in both city and county, Gillett Womens Club, charter member of Gillett Area Historical Society, Northern Gardeners, Green Bay Botanical Gardens, Revitalize Gillett, Gillett Co-op and Streetscape.
She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, serving as first woman president of church council and various committees of the church, co-chair of the church’s 100th year anniversary celebrations and on the 125th committee. Mort and Lorraine were honored as grand marshals for the 2005 4th of July Parade. She was a avid Green Bay Packer, Milwaukee Brewer and Wisconsin Badger fan. She enjoyed playing bridge, antiques, growing orchid and African violets, and genealogy. She loved spending time with her family.
She is survived by her one son, Michael (Cindy) Gentz;, one daughter; Wendy (Kurt) Redlin; her grandchildren, Monica Fischer, Al Matsutaka (Eric Lowe), Tricia (Dave) Nault, Ori-Anna (Mark) Ramsey, Brandon Redlin; her great-grandchildren, Ruby Snow, Sully Snow, Zoey Ramsey and Violet Ramsey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Morton R. Gentz; one brother, Maynard (Bernice) Hoefs; one sister-in-law, Leila (Robert) Doran; one brother-in-law, Tony (Tana) Gentz; and one grandson, Ryan Fischer.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 101 W. Main St., Gillett, at 11 a.m. Officiating at the service will be Rev. Christopher Byars. Visitation will be at the church from 9-11 a.m. on Monday, July 15, 2024. Burial will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Zachow.
Memorials may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Gillett.
The family thanks the staff of Serenity Gardens and Unity Hospice for their caring support.
The Kuehl Funeral Home, Gillett is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Lorraine I. Gentz
