Kathleen M. "Kathie" Kentner

Many years ago, when a devastating hurricane hit southern Texas, Kathleen (Kathie) Kentner decided she needed to do something to help. When asked by her children why she, a woman in her 70’s, would be willing to drive to Texas, work long hours at a Red Cross crisis shelter, and sleep on a cot for several days, she responded, “If not me, then who? I have time to do this, and I like helping others.” This is who Kathie was and how she will be remembered. Kathleen Marie Leahy was born on July 24, 1936, in Canton, Ohio. She was the first of the ten children of James Leahy and Josephine (Bonnot) Leahy. As a child, she enjoyed playing with her sisters and cousins, especially Rita Murray. She liked taking two city buses and then running up the big hill to the Leahy grandparents’ home. Some of her favorite childhood memories were playing drums in the marching band, taking piano lessons for a short while, learning how to swim at the YMCA, participating in synchronized swimming, and learning how to sew. Kathie attended Canton Central Catholic and Bowling Green State University, where she met Thomas Kentner. They were married on September 14, 1957, and spent 67 years together and raised seven children. Kathie enjoyed working with numbers and had exceptional organizational skills. She worked a variety of different jobs over the years, but her favorite role was in the Wapakoneta High School Athletic Department. She enjoyed working with the staff, the student-athletes, and the scheduling. While raising her seven children, she dedicated a great deal of time to supporting their activities. She encouraged their involvement, attended all of their performances and sporting events, and often volunteered behind the scenes with booster groups, fundraising, chaperoning (many years of summer band camp) and tailoring costumes and uniforms. She continued her volunteerism with her grandchildren and spent part of one summer traveling with granddaughter Allison’s drum and bugle corps as their onsite tailor. As a talented seamstress and someone who appreciated beautiful fabrics, Kathie poured much time and love into making table runners and placemats, beautiful quilts, and her unique purses that she sold at local craft and art fairs. Customers returned to her booth many years for the opportunity to purchase her one-of-a-kind purses. She loved to make them with fabrics printed with Peanuts characters, shamrocks, OSU Buckeyes, plaids, and lots of pinks. They were beautifully constructed treasures. Kathie knew what she liked. It was a long list but here goes: children with red hair, children with curly hair, and children with freckles (none of Kathie’s children had any of these qualities); raspberries, chocolate—especially Heggy’s Chocolates; all things pink; making rhubarb pies and holiday mini fruitcakes; drinking hot tea in the morning and evening and Diet Coke in between; solving Sudoku and word search puzzles and correcting your grammar; going to church, riding bikes and driving Fords; playing bridge, knitting, and watching The Voice; tending to her flowers, keeping an eye out for the bald eagle by the river and hummingbirds at her feeder. She was a big fan of lighthouses, steamboats, New York City, the Cincinnati Reds, The Ohio State University Marching Band, and all-things Ireland. She liked to have things in order: nails painted, house clean, well-ironed clothing and a fresh new book to read. And she especially loved cheering for her grandchildren at their many different performances and competitions. Kathie was a very special and spirited woman. She enjoyed riding her bike and participated in the Great Ohio Bike Adventure several years with her daughter, Karen, and granddaughter, Allison. Just six years ago, Kathie bought a 3-wheeled bicycle and enjoyed riding it around the block on warm and sunny days. Years ago, she bought a beautiful 1966 orange Mustang and took it to car shows for several years. She took up piano lessons again in her 60’s. She and Tom travelled all over the US, especially when her oldest son, Kevin, was in the Coast Guard. They often visited him at the different ports where he was assigned. She also traveled to Alaska, went on a river cruise with her good friend, Barbara Cummings, she visited Rome and Ireland and decided she wanted to return to Ireland to witness the world record being set for the number of Irish dancers performing simultaneously. Kathie was preceded in death just eight months ago by Tom, and is survived by her large and loving family, including her seven children: Kevin (Janice) Kentner, Wapakoneta, Michael Kentner, Wapakoneta, Karen (Mark) Crooks, Tampa, Florida, Matthew (Amy) Kentner, Wapakoneta, Melissa Kentner (James Gimeson), Worthington, Ohio, Amy (Christopher) Jaromin, Andover, Massachusetts, and Timothy Kentner, Wapakoneta. She is survived by 15 grandchildren: Aaron Vorhees, Kara Kentner, Karli Mertler, Kimberly Kentner, Allison Kothe, Amy Kimes, Alec Geddes, Evan Crooks, Eli Kentner, Olivia Kentner, Emma Kentner, Curran Gimeson, Ryan Gimeson, Zachary Jaromin, and Addison Jaromin. Kathie is also survived by 10 great grandchildren: Jaedon, Kelson, Johnny, Calvin, Riley, Henry, Hoyer, Xander, Cooper, and Collins, her siblings: Mary Ann (Don) Gordon, Karen Leahy, Josephine Leahy, Daniel (Donna) Leahy, Timothy (Sylvia) Leahy, and her sisters-in-law Carolyn (Jim) Pfenning, Judy (Ken) Bell, and Joanne Oliver. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Mark Kentner, a grandson, Josh Vorhees, her sisters Jacqueline Hambach, Virginia Leahy, Eileen Matsell, and Jeanette Calkins, and her sister-in-law Jean Bell. The wonderful staff at Miller Place, Celina, Ohio, where Kathie most recently resided, was able to connect with her in ways others couldn’t in her last days. The family greatly appreciates their kindness, compassion, and care. The family will receive friends Thursday, April 10, 2025, 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Eley Funeral Home and Crematory, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta. Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, April 11, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Wapakoneta. Burial is to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, The family asks that we celebrate Kathie by wearing pink. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Red Cross or volunteering to help those in need, as Kathie did on so many occasions. Condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com

Kathleen M. "Kathie" Kentner

July 24, 1936 - April 2, 2025