Mrs. Florence Gentis, 86, passed away on May 4, 2004 at her daughter’s home in Beaumont. She was born Florence Louise Arnesen to George Rolf Arnsen and Sofia Neilsen Arnsen on August 11, 1917 in Port Arthur, Texas. As the daughter of Norwegian immigrants, she spent her childhood in a close-knit Scandinavian community in Port Arthur.
Mrs. Gentis resided in Waco, Texas for forty years with her husband, Hulin Gentis, until his death in March 2002, at which time she moved to Beaumont to live with her daughter. She was an active member of Sparks Memorial Methodist Church in Bellmead. She had a zest for life and was happiest when surrounded by friends and family. There was no such thing as a stranger to her, and never an unkind work about anyone she met. Whatever the need or crisis in someone’s life, Florence was always the first one there with a fresh cake, warm smile, and tireless energy. An avid gardener, she had a special way to making a dried twig into a bush.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Hulin Gentis and son, Edwin Weaster.
Those left to cherish her memory are daughters, Carolyn Langston of Beaumont and Maurine Gentis of Victoria; brother, George Arneson of Orange; sister, Alice Creswell of Georgetown; grandsons, Sean Langston and his wife, Kristi of Alvarado, Kyle Langston and his wife, Donna of Orange; granddaughters, Karen Conner and her husband, Mark of Whitehouse, Audrey Weaster of Richmond, and Kelly Walden of Bangor, Maine; seven great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and too many friends to count.
A gathering of family and friends will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday evening, May 6, 2004, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont.
A graveside service will be 2:00 PM Saturday, May 8, 2004 at Waco Memorial Park under the direction of Bellmead Funeral Home in Bellmead. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 PM Friday evening, May 7, 2004, at the funeral home in Bellmead.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Suresh Indupalli, Dr. Scott Sherron, Beaumont Home Health and Southern Care Hospice for their loving care.
Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Gentis to Southern Care Hospice, 3965 Phelan Blvd., Suite 108, Beaumont, Texas 77707 or the American Heart Association P.O. Box 7015, Beaumont, Texas 77726-7015
