Alice Mary (Gentry) Kenitz

Alice Mary Gentry was born in Omaha, NE on 3/28/35 to William “Dr. Bill” and Esther Gentry. Raised in Gering, NE, she attended Gering High School, graduating as valedictorian in 1953. At Nebraska Wesleyan she majored in Chemistry, minored in Biology, and graduated in 1957, summa cum laude. From there she went to Denver, receiving a Medical Technologist license from University of Colorado Medical School in 1958.

Alice met Lee Kenitz at a young adult church group in Denver. They married in 1960 and had their only child Steven Lee Kenitz in 1963. After travelling for work in their early years, they returned to Gering, where Alice ran the lab for her family’s medical practice, Gentry Clark Medical Center. She retired 40 years later in 2000.

Alice loved nature. From her earliest days exploring the Wildcat Hills, through horse riding in the Saddle Club, to her lifelong love of birding, she mastered it all. Longtime member and occasional president of the Wildcat Audubon Society, she frequently got calls seeking help to identify birds throughout the state, even through 2025. Local history and nature programs were her passion, as was visiting local monuments and museums. She loved Legacy of the Plains Museum and its preservation of regional history. When her grandson Liam was young, she toted him all over to visit her favorite historical sites.

Gering United Methodist Church was central to Alice’s life. She taught Sunday School and was very involved in the United Methodist Women organization. The PEO was another passion for Alice. She was an active member of the Gering EV chapter from college through her death (72 years!). She played piano and flute, and was a member of the Gering City Band for many years. She also played bells for her church.

Alice adored her son Steve. Born in 1963, she introduced him to all of her other passions. As soon as he met Andrea Woodward in 1990, she was welcomed into the family. Later, when Liam was born, she became the perfect grandmother. She was an amazing woman, loved by so many. As a sister, mother, grandma, and friend to all, she will be fondly remembered.

Alice is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Dr. Don and Meredyth Gentry, daughter-in-law Andrea Woodward, and grandson Liam KenWood. She was preceded in death by her husband LeRoy Kenitz and son Steve Kenitz.

We welcome all to a celebration of life for Alice at Heritage Estate Clubhouse (1270 Estates Drive, Gering) on Monday, February 16th, at 2 p.m.

Memorials for the following organizations that Alice loved are appreciated: Gering United Methodist Church and Legacy of the Plains Museum.