Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Gensterblum, Jacob A. 2005
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net May 28, 2011, 9:29 pm

Portland Review & Observer, 21 Aug 2005

Rev. Jacob Anthony Gensterblum, 96, an Albuquerque, N.M. resident since 1950, 
was involved in many community organizations, and died peacefully of old age at 
home on Aug. 4, 2005.  Family, friends and the Catholic Church will surely miss 
this humble man who devoted his life and poured out his spirit into everything 
he accomplished.  He was a hard worker.

Jake was born on June 13, 1909 on a farm outside of Portland.  He was 9 when 
his father, Edward, died from a nationwide influenza that claimed many lives.  
His mother, Helena lived to the age of 92.  At age 12 Jake went to work for 
Louis Guidi in their restaurant and by age 15 was driving the truck to and from 
Grand Rapids to get supplies.  Jake was charming, and everyone in town liked 
him.  He seldom studied, but did well in school.  He graduated from Portland 
High School where he was very athletic, an altar boy, played trombone in the 
school band and became an eagle scout.

He went to Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and lived there for six years, 
working in the summers to earn his keep.  Later in college he worked at the 
Catholic Boy’s Camp Ozanam on Lake Huron where he passed on his skill as a 
strong swimmer to those less fortunate.  He was ordained in May of 1938.

Jake was his mother’s “pride and joy” because he always took care of everyone.  
He seemed to know how to do everything and he never ran out of energy.  He 
spoke up and was not shy.  He was always full of ideas and liked to do new 
things.  Throughout New Mexico Jake is remembered as a warm and caring man who 
enriched all lives that he touched.

Jake and Esther moved to Colorado in 1946 and then to Albuquerque, where he 
worked for New Mexico Marble and Tile.  They established Graff Flooring in 
1954.  Many buildings in New Mexico bear the mark of his craftsmanship.  He was 
active in the development of the Albuquerque chapter of the American 
Subcontractors Association in New Mexico and in 1977 he was bestowed by 
national ASA, the “President’s Award” for his outstanding contribution to the 
subcontracting movement.  He also served as an arbitrator for the American 
Arbitration Association.

Highly dedicated to St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Albuquerque, he became 
president of the Holy Name Society and helped form the St. Vincent de Paul 
Society there.  He gave himself and his time generously during the improvements 
to the church, the building of the rectory, the convent, the school and the 
gym.  Jake was active in the Boy Scout troop at St. Charles, and unselfishly 
volunteered for whatever needed to get done including being called to the 
Convent to help the sisters fix something.  He was a Fourth Degree Knights of 
Columbus member until his death, and was Chaplain of the Portland Chapter.

After his beloved Esther passed away, Jake returned to the ministry in his 
hometown of Portland serving the Lord at St. Patrick’s Church where among his 
other duties he was the school chaplain.  Returning to Albuquerque, he broke 
bread with those at the Manzano Del Sol Nursing Home as their chaplain, until 
his retirement at the age of 87.  An accomplished master gardener, he enjoyed 
cooking, books, swimming, jokes and composing poems.  He traveled extensively 
with his son to pursue the sport of hot air ballooning.  He preferred the 
camaraderie of the crew, and often said he had much more fun on the ground than 
in the air.

His wife Esther, his brother Fred, and his sisters Gertrude and Catherine 
Watson preceded him in death.  He is survived by his caring son, Gerry and his 
wife Linda, his loving daughter, Carolyn (Samantha) Graff, and his sister Mary 
Ann Garrett of Dearborn and her husband Millege, and countless other family and 
friends.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 7 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary 
church.  he was laid to rest at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Albuquerque with 
Esther.  Arrangements are entrusted to the French Mortuary, Albuquerque, N.M.


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