Armand James Gentling, 88, of Rochester, passed away on Thursday, December 27, 2012 at St. Marys Hospital.

He was born January 6, 1924 in Rochester, MN to Harold and Nellie (Larson) Gentling.  He was in the first graduating class of Lourdes High School in 1942.  Armand worked in the shipyards in Washington State and in California before returning to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota.  He married Frances W. Glover on June 1, 1946 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Rochester.  Armand worked for the Mayo Clinic and the Chicago Great Western Railroad before finding his true passion – helping people restore their sense of hearing as a hearing aid salesman.  "Ampy" eventually became the owner of the Maico Gentling Hearing Center in Rochester which he operated until his retirement in 1989.

Armand and Fran lived in Rochester for 32 years before moving to "the lake" at Cedar Beach on Lake Zumbro in 1979.  They returned to NW Rochester in 2005.  They also enjoyed 18 wonderful winters with their special "snowbird" family in Mesa Village, Mesa, AZ.  Armand loved playing golf, dancing, fishing, dancing, traveling, reading and dancing.  He was always ready for a good game of cards; bridge with the couples, 500 with the kids and cribbage with anybody.  More than anything else Ampy loved spending time with his family; laughing, joking, storytelling and thoroughly enjoying life.  His life was a model for building relationships through trust and loyalty.  His life portrayed values and beliefs that left a positive impression on all with whom he came to know.  He made a difference in people's lives and he will be missed.

Armand is survived by his wife, Frances (Glover) and five children:  Steven (Susan Hanson) of Guthrie, OK; Richard (Kathy Marlow) of Oronoco, MN; Julie (Robert) Kalar of Port Townsend, WA; Barbara (Kevin) Truax of Rochester, MN; and Anne (Steve) Maley of Oronoco, MN; Thirteen grandchildren include: Dr. Todd (Kellie) Gentling of Broken Arrow, OK; Kara (Michael) Sloat of Bixby, OK; Tiffany (William) Kinser of Edmond, OK; Jason Liebenow of Hayfield, MN; Brandon Liebenow of Rochester, MN; Justin (Stacy) Liebenow of Zumbrota, MN; Jesse (Stacy) Gentling of Edmond, OK; Joshua Gentling of Oronoco, MN; Nickolas (Rachel) Maley of Northfield, MN;  Christina Maley of Duluth, MN; Tyler Maley of Oronoco, MN; Ryan and Kristofer Truax of Rochester, MN.  Twelve great grandchildren include: Xavier (Sami) Meisinger of Oklahoma City, OK; Gabrielle, William and Jacob Kinser of Edmond, OK; Paige and Claire Gentling of Broken Arrow, OK; Brandon and Brady Sloat of Bixby, OK; Anna Buss and Greyson Gentling of Edmond, OK, Kinslee Liebenow of Zumbrota, MN and Liam Maley of Northfield, MN.  Surviving sisters include, Mary Felten of Crystal River, FL; Gretchen Cutshall of Rochester, MN and Margaret (John) Murach of Austin, MN.

Armand is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers; Richard and John "Swede", a brother-in-law Robert Felten and a sister-in-law, Geneva.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00PM, Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 5455 50 ^th Avenue NW, Rochester, MN with the Rev. Donald Schmitz officiating.  Visitation will be held in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home on Monday, December 31, 2012 from 6:00pm – 8:00PM and one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Tuesday.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lourdes High School Development Fund or the Mayo Clinic Hospice program.

On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.