Thomas W. Gentrup

Thomas W. Gentrup, 84, of Emerson, NE, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. The visitation will be on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary starting at 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Emerson. The burial with Military Honors will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Emerson. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home.

Tom was born on July 14, 1940, in Beemer, NE to Casper, Sr. and Margaret (Spenner) Gentrup. He attended and graduated from Guardian Angels Central Catholic School in West Point in 1958. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Army, where he served for two years. Upon his return, Tom moved to Waterbury, NE, where he started farming. Tom was devoted in his catholic faith and became a member of the Knights of Columbus at an early age. On November 28, 1964, Tom married Myra Albrecht at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Together, the couple had five children: Patty, Julie, Cheryl, Dan, and Al.

Tom was a lifelong farmer in Nebraska. He worked hard during the farming season, so he could spend time with his family in the off-season. Tom and Myra were faithful Catholics and never missed Mass on Sunday, even if they traveled or attended other social events. They loved to travel and after Tom’s retirement in 2002, they moved to their home in Emerson and started traveling more frequently. Even though Tom retired, he never truly gave up farming; he would venture out into the country and check on the fields. Harvest time was one of Tom’s favorite times of the year. Tom was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan and enjoyed watching sports on TV. One of his favorite hobbies was playing golf, and when he couldn’t make it to the course, he liked watching it on TV. Tom loved his family dearly and tried to lead them by example. He cherished every moment with them.

Tom is survived by his wife of 60 years, Myra Gentrup of Emerson, NE; daughters, Julie (Bill) Thompson of Bemidji, MN, Cheryl (Keith) Varnado of Amite, LA; sons, Daniel (Lori) Gentrup of Waterbury, NE, Allan (Sarah) Gentrup of Waterbury, NE; grandchildren, Andrew Dohrman, Lindsay (Corey) Viereck, Ted Dohrman (Stephen Halstead), Katherine (Travis) Moodie, Abigail (Gabriel) Hamilton, Hailie Thompson, Emily Thompson, Jordyn Gentrup, Cailin (Tim) Anderson, Melanie Gentrup, Leighton Gentrup, McKenna Gentrup; great-grandchildren, Mads Viereck, Peri Viereck, and baby Anderson on the way; sisters, Sister Carmelyn Gentrup and Bernadette Thiem; sister-in-law, Marjorie Gentrup; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents, Casper, Sr. and Margaret Gentrup; daughter, Patricia Dohrman; brothers, Andrew (Josephine) Gentrup, Cletus Gentrup, Casper Gentrup, Jr., Ambrose Gentrup; sisters, Veronica (Wilbert) Vogel, Marie (Joseph) Schlickbernd, Elizabeth (Raymond) Hagedorn, and Margaret (Raynard) Ruskamp; and brother-in-law, Larry Thiem.