Lawrence Gentleman, Age 84

Lawrence B. Gentleman was born on June 15, 1931 on the Gentleman farm southeast of Glen Elder, Kansas to Merton E. Gentleman, Sr. and Ava B. (Barnett) Gentleman. He passed away from his earthly life and went to his heavenly home on Thursday, July 02, 2015 at the age of 84. Lawrence attended Liberty Country School and Glen Elder Grade School in his youth, and graduated from Glen Elder High School in 1949. After high school, Lawrence worked on the family farm with his father. He was drafted into the US Army on May 23, 1951, and honorably served with the Fourth Infantry Division, Ski Troops, stationed at Ladd Air Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. Lawrence was discharged from active military duty in April 1953 and returned to Glen Elder, where he embarked on his lifelong career of farming and raising cattle. On March 21, 1954, Lawrence married Betty Lou Thiessen. For the next 45 years, Lawrence and Betty made their home on their farm north of Glen Elder. Both Lawrence and Betty were active in their farming operation and enjoyed their life on the farm. Two daughters were born to this union, Sharon and Kathryn. Lawrence was a member of the Glen Elder Christian Church, where he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior November 24, 1946. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 143, and Elks Lodge 1779. He was dedicated to his church, serving as a deacon for 42 years, and to the American Legion, serving in numerous capacities throughout the years. Lawrence enjoyed working with wood and being very skilled, remodeled their farm house multiple times through the years. As the farm operation grew, Lawrence had several young men work for him while in high school and college. To this day, these young men considered it a privilege to work for Lawrence, stopping to visit when both Lawrence and Betty were "back home". As life on the farm permitted, Lawrence and Betty traveled. One memorable trip was to the New England area, in particular, to the state of Maine, where Lawrence's father, Merton, had grown up. This trip was particularly special to Lawrence, since he was named for his Uncle Laurence, who resided in Maine and whom they visited. Another memorable trip was to Hawaii with Betty's sister, Carl and husband Jerry. And finally, probably the most memorable trip for Lawrence was when the same foursome traveled to Alaska and Lawrence was able to visit once again Ladd Air Base and Fairbanks, where he had been stationed during his years in the Army. Anyone who knew Lawrence knew that he had a quick wit, ornery nature, and was an excellent conversationalist. He did not know a stranger. In fact, family members often laughed that he could have had a career in politics, for it seemed he was always talking with someone; the phrase "he's shaking hands and kissing babies" was coined within the family when waiting on Lawrence to finish talking with someone before leaving wherever they might be as a family. After 45 years of living on the farm, Lawrence retired from farming, and he and Betty moved to Beloit, Kansas. Retirement afforded Lawrence the opportunity to spend time on his woodworking hobby. During these later years of retirement, Betty suffered multiple health issues, and Lawrence was always there to care for her. Lawrence always said he "married the prettiest girl in Mitchell County". Lawrence was a loving husband, father, and grandpa. He and Betty enjoyed taking in numerous musical performances and events of their grandchildren, following them from elementary school through high school, college, and graduate school, in various states in which they lived, always taking great pride in their accomplishments and use of their God-given talents. Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, and his great-grandson, Isaac James Jensen, whom he will have the opportunity to meet in heaven. Left to celebrate his life are his wife, Betty; daughter, Sharon Kay Keister and husband Rex, of Beloit; daughter, Kathryn Jo Grabbe and husband Dave, of Indianapolis, Indiana; grandchildren: Lauren (Kindscher) Jensen and husband Eric of Golden, Colorado, Allison (Kindscher) Smith and husband Matthew of Lubbock, Texas, Cody Grabbe of Columbus, Ohio, and Kailee (Grabbe) Koehler and husband Benjamin of Brownsburg, Indiana; great-granddaughter, Ava Constance Smith of Lubbock; brother, Merton Eugene Gentleman, Jr. of Glen Elder; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Lawrence will be dearly missed by many.

Funeral services will be at 10 AM Thursday, July 9 at the Glen Elder Christian Church followed by burial in Glenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-8 PM with family present from 6-7 PM Wednesday at the McDonald Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to American Legion Post #143, Glen Elder Christian Church or Solomon Valley Hospice.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA