OTTAWA - Beverly Gentner, 88, passed away Dec. 9, 2020 at OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital, Ottawa, from COVID-19.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Due to COVID-19, a memorial service will be held at a later date in 2021.

Bev, as she was known to her friends, was independent, thoughtful and strong. She was born Nov. 5, 1932 in Chicago to Gertrude and Arthur Elliot. She married Charles Gentner on Oct. 21, 1950. 

Survivors include her beloved daughter, Sandra (Michael) Maas of Mendota; one grandson, Tyler (Dr. Kelsey Witte-Maas) Maas of Prairie City, Iowa; one granddaughter, Kelsey (spouse Alex Gulck) Maas of Salt Lake City, Utah; a sister-in-law, Karen Parker and niece, Karay Martinez of Cincinnati, Ohio; a half-sister, Barbara Sheahen and half-brother, Arthur (Suzzee) Elliott, both of Vernon Hills; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her step-father, Joe Martinez; in-laws, Irwin and Selma Gentner; special companion, Charles Gentner; and beloved baby brother, Ray Martinez.

Bev graduated from Kelvyn Park High School in Chicago and had a long working career, spending the last 12 years at Boise Cascade before retiring in 1997. She was an avid reader and a regular at her local library. Most recently, she enjoyed biographies of historic Americans. She was an ardent golfer and could be found on the green up until life slowed her down. After retirement, Bev continued to serve her community and volunteered for several years at a local school, reading to and assisting lower grade elementary students. She continued volunteering at a local hospital until a year ago. Late in life, Bev was connected to lost family members, for which she was most grateful.

Up until a recent fall placed her in a local nursing home for rehab only, Beverly was sharp minded and fiercely independent. She is one of the over 290,000 individuals that have been taken too soon because of COVID-19. She will be painfully missed by her family and friends. Please, take care of yourselves and your community. Wear a mask, wash your hands, social distance, and limit interactions. Life is too precious.

Memorials and donations may be made to the Salvation Army or to the family for other favorite charities of Bev’s.