Class of 1929 Back, l-r: Belle Larson, Alice Hodgin, Ruth Hodgin, George Kentch, Oliver Berg. Middle: Alice Eleeson, Bertha Monson, Maxine Alcott, Prof. Nelson, Carl Peterson, Royal Cosgrove. Front: Ella Waldron, Martha Thietje. For larger view of photo, see Yearbooks

E. George Kentch  1910-1997

Funeral Mass for George Kentch 86, Chamberlain, was celebrated Saturday, Feb.1st, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Reliance with Fathers Yvon Sheehy, SCJ and Jim Walters, SCJ, celebrants.  Mr. Kentch passed away early Friday morning January 29, 1997, at Omaha, Nebraska, home of his son Ed.

Edward George Kentch was born August 31, 1910, to Elwood and Cathern E. (Monahan) Kentch at Reliance.  There he attended all twelve grades of school, graduating with the class of 1929.

After his schooling, he worked at various jobs driving truck and working on farms.  He attended Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, Missouri, then returned to South Dakota where he worked for the State Highway Department.

George married Alice Hodgin September 21, 1935, at Reliance and began his employment with the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad where he worked until retiring in 1975.  Most of those years were spent working with the Iowa, Minnesota, and Dakota Division.  Mrs. Kentch passed away in Chamberlain December 2, 1994.

George was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain.  His hobby was talking to people and telling stories about his railroad experiences.

Early Saturday morning, Chuck Kentch and his son Allen took George for his last ride before his funeral Mass at St. Mary's.  Leaving Chamberlain, the hearse, driven by Delmar Wevik, drove through Oacoma then proceeded up old hiway 47 past the Hodgin homestead and the Cooper school where he and Alice attended school together.  Then on to the Katy Monahan homestead two miles south of Reliance, (homestead of Alice's parents).  On to three miles north of Reliance to the Elwood Kentch place (next to Dale Hall's) and back into Reliance and George's birthplace (across the street from Viola Berg).  They drove by the two cottonwood trees, which were planted by Alice, where the Reliance Depot stood; over to the block that held the two Reliance schools, and then to St. Mary's Church.

George and Alice attended Reliance High School together and graduated with the class of 1929.  They are remembered in the Reliance school records as the first couple graduating from RHS who also had a child (Chuck) graduate from there.

Grateful for having shared his life are his two sons: Charles R. and wife Donna Kentch of Oacoma, and Edward R. and wife Mary Kentch, Omaha, Nebraska; his daughter, Sharon A. and husband Don Raymond, Billings, Montana, six grandchildren and  four great- grandchildren

George was preceded in death by his parents, his wife  and one grandchild, Thad Michael.

George was laid to rest beside Alice in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Reliance.

Wevik Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.