Henry “Gardner” Gentemann, age 84, of Ambler, Alaska passed from this life on May 19, 2018, inFairbanks.

Gardner was born on Dec. 19, 1933, in Independence, Ore. He spent his formative years in theQueets Clearwater Valley area of Washington state. While living there, he was a logger and shakemill operator. He also served with the Washington State Patrol for several years. He later relocatedhis family to northern Alaska’s Kobuk River Valley at Ambler, where he remained until his death.Gardner embodied the true Alaskan entrepreneurial spirit. He and his wife, Shirley, successfullyoperated Kobuk River Lodge and General Store for 35 years as well as a fishing and guidingbusiness with his son, Loren.

Gardner is survived by his loving wife, Shirley. They would have celebrated their 50th anniversary inthe fall of this year. He is survived by his children: Mark Gentemann, Loren (Jayde) Gentemann,Jennifer (Galen) Elders, Kathleen (Claude) Turk and Trisha (Brian) Settlemyre, his brother, Col. (R)Michor (Lee) Gentemann; sisters, Betsy Groben and Nancy Ann Gentemann, 13 grandchildren, 10great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents,Henry and Elizabeth Gentemann and sister, Susan Hickam.

Burial services were held on Friday, May 25, 2018, in Ambler, Alaska. A memorial service will beheld in August in the lower 48 in Clearwater, Wash. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to theJ. Michael Carroll Cancer Center at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, 1640 Cowles Street Fairbanks, AK99701.

Online condolences may be made to the family at blanchardfamilyfuneralhome.com.