December 19, 1933 – May 19, 2018
Henry “Gardner” Gentemann, age 84 of Ambler, Alaska passed from this life on May 19, 2018, in Fairbanks. Gardner was born on December 19, 1933, in Independence, Oregon.
He spent his formative years in the Queets Clearwater Valley area of Washington State. While living there, he was a logger and Shake Mill Operator. He also served with the Washington State Patrol for several years. He later relocated his family to northern Alaska’s Kobuk River Valley at Ambler, where he remained until his death. Gardner embodied the true Alaskan entrepreneurial spirit.
He and his wife Shirley successfully operated Kobuk River Lodge and General Store for 35 years as well as a fishing and guiding business with his son, Loren.
Gardner is survived by his loving wife, Shirley. They would have celebrated their 50th anniversary in the fall of this year. He is survived by his children: Mark Gentemann; Loren (Jayde) Gentemann; Jennifer (Galen) Elders; Kathleen (Claude) Turk; and Trisha (Brian) Settlemyre; his brother, COL (R) Michor (Lee) Gentemann; sisters, Betsy Groben and Nancy Ann
Gentemann; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by
his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Gentemann and sister, Susan Hickam.
Burial Services were held on Friday, May 25, 2018, in Ambler, Alaska. A memorial service will be held in August in the lower 48 in Clearwater, Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the J. Michael Carroll Cancer Center at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital; 1640 Cowles Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701.
Online condolences may be made to the family at blanchardfamilyfuneralhome.com