Gordon F Kent

Gordon Frank Kent, age 83 of North Mankato, died Thursday, October 15, 2009 at Autumn Grace Senior Services in Mankato.

Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Mankato with Rev. Paul Lauer officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Woodland Hills Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Monday, October 19, 2009 at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Gordy was born on November 5, 1925 to Carl and Thisbe Kent in Gibbon, Minnesota. In early childhood he was adopted by his aunt and uncle, Frank and Ella Kent. He grew up in Mankato and graduated from Mankato High School and then attended Dunwoody Institute. He served his country in the United States Army from 1944-1946. He was united in marriage to Dolores Asmus on September 23, 1950 in Gaylord, MN. Gordy was an auto mechanic at Heintz Pontiac-Cadillac for 38 years before retiring.

Gordy was a member of the American Legion Post 11, VFW Post 950, DAV, and the American Legion Post 11 Firing Squad from 1988-2006. He was also active at Our Savior's Lutheran Church where he sang in the church choir and was involved with other various church committees. He was a Nicollet County Veterans Van Driver from 1988-2005, a 4H leader, played in the military and community bands, and enjoyed spending time at the lake cabin, and playing cards. He was an avid sports fan and pitched for semi fast pitch softball and enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. Gordy also bowled for many years and coached youth bowling. He will be inducted into the Mankato Men's Bowling Hall of Fame on October 24, 2009. His greatest joy was watching his children and grandchildren play baseball, softball, and bowling.

Gordy is survived by his wife, Dolores of North Mankato; son, Robert (Lynne) Kent of Mankato; daughter, Gloria (Jerry) Knatcal of Mankato; sons, Dean Kent of Mankato, Merlin (Pamela) Kent of Plymouth, and Kevin Kent of North Mankato; grandchildren, Ross, Stacy, Cory, Dylan, Karl, Kendra; step-grandchildren, Tonya (Justin) Johnson, Tammy Knatcal, and TJ (Anisha) Knatcal; step-great-grandchildren, Chloe, Lydia, and Lukas Johnson; brother-in-law, Gerhardt (Lorraine) Asmus of Neosha, MO; sisters-in-law, Maxine Kent of Andover and Ervie Asmus of Gaylord, and; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gordy was preceded in death by his adoptive parents, Frank and Ella Kent; birth parents, Carl and Thisbe Kent; grandson, Kyle Kent; brothers, Sigfred, Holger, and Justus Kent; sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Vincent Tanko; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gertrude and Alfred Bogatzki; sister-in-law, Gladys Kent; and brother-in-law, Edgar Asmus.