Linda Gentes

1948 - 2025

Linda Gentes died September 6, 2025, unexpectedly, at home, as a result of a rapid infection.

Born on Christmas day, December 25, in 1948 to Victor and Bernadine (née Esther Bernadine Brinkman) Gentes, Linda grew up on the family farm near Chenoa, Illinois. She was the youngest of the four Gentes girls and lived, as she described, a lovely childhood, serving the foundation of her ever-renewing optimism. She proudly graduated from Chenoa High School in 1967 and from the University of Illinois, where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, in 1971. At a young age she ventured to Guam, Germany and England visiting family and exploring.

Linda believed in education as a changing opportunity for all people and dedicated much of her life to fostering these opportunities. She was an elementary school teacher in Connecticut and Illinois. In Richland Center, Linda was an outspoken advocate for the University of Wisconsin Richland Campus – acting as Director of Continuing Education from 1986 to 2004. During this time she earned her Master's degree in Continuing and Vocational Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1999.

She inspired and organized the "Love of Learning" lectures bringing both culture and practical information to members of the community, from members of the community. While at UW Richland, in the 1990's, she was also the International Student Program Coordinator, nurturing and mentoring many young adults. Later in her career, for 14 years, Linda took on the role of Coordinator for Engaging Students in the First Year, fostering non-traditional students in their first forays into college.

In the 80's Linda was a keen-eyed entrepreneurial owner and operator of two bed linen stores, Linen Designs, in the Northshore of Chicago. She thoroughly enjoyed the rough and tumble of making her shops successful with clever promotions and creative pitches.

Linda met her beloved husband, Henk Newenhouse, in 1977 and they shared a joyous and full life together for 48 years. They lived in Paris for nearly a year before moving to Wisconsin permanently in 1985 to the aptly named "Merry Farm of Gotham" on the end of Slow Lane in Lone Rock. There Linda and Henk operated one of the first barn wedding venues in the state.

Linda was deeply engaged in her community on every level. For the last ten years she served on the Richland County Board, chairing both the Health and Human Services Board and the UW-Richland Board, stepping down in 2024 to care for Henk. She had faith in the operations of community, of the political process, of civil discourse and of fueling idealism with active pragmatism.

Linda's social sphere was wide with enthusiastic engagement in dancing, kayaking, golfing, the Sister City Project, UU (Universal Unitarian), and her book club. She also played the piano, was an avid flower gardener, liked to sew, and was an outstanding welcoming host.

Linda is a cherished sister to Marian Gentes Brown, Genevieve Gentes Hughes, and Celeste Gentes Betjemann; she is survived by her husband, Henk Newenhouse; three stepchildren: Yan Newenhouse (Maryann), Astrid Newenhouse (Kurt Meyer), Sonya Newenhouse (Cecil Wright); five step-grandchildren; 8 nieces and nephews, several great-nieces and nephews and even great-great nieces and nephews. Linda was preceded in death by her nephew John Hughes.

In Linda's own words, she "consciously strove for a more peaceful and gracious manner. Please, if you think of me, try to think about how to help yourself and others to be more gracious in the world. Anyway, enjoy life, I would like to be with you and have fun. You can dance at my funeral."

Linda wishes to have no memorials in her name. We remember Linda in the grace she left behind.

Visitation will be Sunday, October 12, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at The Phoenix Center in Richland Center. The Celebration of Life will take place at 2 p.m., with memory sharing and music. Bring your dancing shoes. Linda's ashes will be spread on the family farm in Chenoa, Illinois, at a later date. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements. prattfuneralservice.com.