IN MEMORIAM: Lois Gengenbach, 84;

Farmer With Extension-Service Husband

COOPERSTOWN – Lois J. Gengenbach, a long-time resident of Cooperstown who had run a farm with her extension agent husband, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 30, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica. She was 84.

Born Nov. 29, 1933, in Hudson, she was a daughter of Michael and Helen (Hover) Bessman. She married William H. Gengenbach, also from the Hudson area, on Sept. 4, 1954, at The Church of St. Mary in Hudson.

Following her husband’s graduation from Cornell University in 1955, Lois and Bill moved back to the Hudson area to be near their respective families. In 1962, the couple moved to Cooperstown where Bill began work as an agent for the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Otsego County. From 1973 to 1982, they owned and operated a farm in Hartwick Seminary and later settled into their home on upper Main Street in Cooperstown.

For many years, Lois was employed as a personal health aide at The Upstate Home for Children and the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home.

Throughout her entire life, Lois was a faithful Roman Catholic, and for many years was a devoted communicant of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Church. She will be fondly remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

Lois is survived by five daughters and three sons-in-law, Karen Beebe of Scranton, Pa., Laurie Gengenbach of Julian, N.C., Susan and Todd Snelson of Oneonta, Barbara and Michael Hatalla of Clifton Park and Maria and Godwin Cotter of Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada; three sons and one daughter-in-law, William “Billy” Gengenbach of Hawaii, Brian Gengenbach of Worcester and Mark and Lori Gengenbach of Havre de Grace, Md.; many, many grandchildren and great grandchildren; one brother, David Bessman of Albany; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Bill, who died May 12, 1997; one son, Michael Paul Gengenbach who died June 5, 2018; a son-in-law, Wayne Beebe, who died Dec. 6, 1999; a brother, Michael Everett Bessman who died April 7, 1998; and a sister, Pauline H. Kirsch who died May 10, 2018.

The Gengenbach family will receive friends 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut St., Cooperstown

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church, 31 Elm St., Cooperstown, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, presiding. Assisting will be Fr. David Wm. Mickiewicz, pastor of St. Mary’s Church in Oneonta.

The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index.

Expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be directed to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.