Entz, Gerhard B. (1878-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Jun 23 p. 8

Birth date: 1878 Jul 1

text of obituary:

GERHARD B. ENTZ

Gerhard B. Entz was born at Tiege, near Marienburg, West Prussia, on July 1, 1878, to Bernhard and Marie Wilhelmine Kroeker Entz, and departed this life Monday, June 13, at Newton, Kansas at the age of 76 years, 11 months and 12 days. All members of his immediate family have preceded him in death, his father being called to his eternal home in 1912, the mother in 1919, his older brother in 1936, and the younger brother three years ago, in 1952. He thus attained to the highest age of any members of his family.

When the departed was 13 years old, in the year 1891, his parents came to America together with their three children, locating at Newton, Kansas. Later, after acquiring a farm two miles south of town, the family resided there.

He received his early education in Germany and upon coming to America attended the Halstead Preparatory School and later Bethel College, where he also received a thorough Bible knowledge under his beloved teacher, Prof. C. H. Wedel.

On June 2, 1895, he was baptized upon his confession of faith in Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord and was received into the membership of the First Mennonite church, of which he remained a faithful member until his death. He held various offices in the church at different times and always took his responsibilities very seriously, carrying out the work assigned to him conscientiously. The service he enjoyed most was the teaching of the Balcony Sunday School Class for many years. He was a devout child of God, living closely to his Saviour and Lord. Exactness and accuracy were with him characteristics that were manifest in all areas of his life. He was rigidly honest, methodical and strict.

After his father's death he cared for his mother with deep devotion and tenderness until she also passed away after a long, lingering illness.

On Nov. 6, 1934, he was united in marriage to Frieda Regier. But according to God's providential leading this union was to be of short duration, being dissolved by death only 14 years later, on June 30, 1949.

The departed took a very vital interest in the welfare of his nephews and nieces, and was esteemed and loved by them. They also frequently visited him and valued his views and insight. His consistent daily Christian living, his kind, generous, gentle love, and his concern for their spiritual welfare will long be cherished by the families of his two brothers and many others.

He leaves to cherish his memory one sister-in-law, 10 nephews and six nieces.

"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from hence forth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow them."