Gentle, Rose Josephine 'Babe'

Rose Josephine “Babe” Gentle, 94, died Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, at Northbrook Manor Care Center in Cedar Rapids. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vinton, with Father Ardel Barta as celebrant. Memorial visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. Inurnment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton.

Babe was born March 29, 1919, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Nellie Mercurio Gentle. She graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School in 1938. Babe worked for many years in her parents' store, Gentle's Fruit and Vegetable Market in Waterloo and then in Vinton. She also owned a picture-framing business for over 10 years before retiring. She was a lady of many talents.

Babe lived in Vinton until 1993 and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She then resided in Cedar Rapids until 2007, when she moved to Marion, where she was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Babe is survived by two sisters, Dolly Bridge-Kauffman and Dorothy Gentle, both of Marion; her nephew, Joseph (Sonja) Bridge of Cedar Rapids; and her great-niece, Stephanie (James Heistand) Bridge of Hiawatha.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home, Vinton, is handling arrangements.

Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.

Published Sept. 16, 2013 in The Gazette