Marvin Francis Gent was born May 30, 1934, near Keota, Iowa, the son of Paul and Mary (Clarahan) Gent. He graduated from Kinross Consolidated High School in 1952 and attended diesel and heavy equipment training for two years. Marvin served in the United States Army from 1954-1956. Marvin was united in marriage to Karen Sue Blaylock on Sept. 15, 1956, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kinross.
He was a lifelong farmer, along with being a grain bin salesman. Marvin never met a stranger. He enjoyed traveling, camping, snowmobiling, water skiing and spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Marvin has been a member of Sacred Heart Church in Kinross, where he served as a trustee, Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Richmond and later St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Williamsburg.
Marvin passed away Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at the Highland Ridge Care Center in Williamsburg, surrounded by his family at the age of 87.
He is survived by five children: Rhonda (Jay) Holtkamp of Ankeny, Linda (John) Fer of Tulsa, Oklahoma, James (Mary) Gent of Wellman, Gregory (Georgia) Gent of Wellman and Alicia (Tom) Robinson of Marion; 14 grandchildren: David (Adrienne), Michelle (Scott), Andrea (David), Abby (Nick), Dan (Kate), Sarah (Pat), Stephanie (Eric), Megan (John), Joseph (Hannah), Cody, Janae (Rusty), Kendall (Hayley), Madeline (Alec), Zachary; 25 great-grandchildren; three sisters: Henrietta (Frank) O’Connell of Marion, Pauline McDonald of Cedar Rapids and Ellen (Wayne) Morrison of Williamsburg; and two brothers: Raymond (Donna) Gent of South English and Pat (Mary) Gent of Keota.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife (2015); and brothers: John, Hubert, Leo and Dennis.
Funeral Mass was held Friday, June 4, 2021, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Williamsburg. Burial was at St. Patrick’s Little Creek Cemetery near Kinross. A memorial fund has been established for St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highland Ridge Care Center or St. Patrick’s Little Creek Cemetery.
Messages and tributes may be directed to www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
