Pauline Kent

Friday, April 3, 2015

Pauline A. Kent died peacefully on April 3, 2015 in Bryan, Texas. The family will receive visitors at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel, in Mountain Home on Friday, April 10, 2015, from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be a celebration of her life with a Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2015. Burial will be held at Mountain View Cemetery followed by lunch at the Hampton Inn.

Pauline was born June 1, 1919, in Ainsworth, Neb., to Rudolph and Martha Langer. She attended school there and remained to help her father in his general store until her marriage.

She married Joseph Kent on June 10, 1940, in Long Pine, Neb. They enjoyed a full and happy married life for 71 years. Shortly after they were married, they moved from Nebraska to Idaho for Joe's first job with the Union Pacific Railroad. In their early years with the railroad, they moved frequently throughout Southwestern Idaho, including Mountain Home.

They then spent four years in Ontario, Ore., moving to Boise in 1949 and remaining there until their return to Mountain Home in 1957. Joe was the station agent for the railroad, and Pauline worked for De Meyer Drug.

She was a loving wife for 71 years until Joe's death in 2011. After Joe's death, Pauline divided her time between Mountain Home and Bryan, Texas, looking forward each spring to returning from Texas to the town and people she loved.

After the death of her oldest son, Dick, in 1958, her deep Catholic faith provided her strength. She continued to give back to the church community as an active member of the Altar Society and its outreach.

Pauline was a blessing to all she knew. She loved playing cards and was a life-long bridge player. She was a generous friend to many.

Mom showed unconditional love for all of her children and grandchildren. She instilled in them a belief that all works out in the end.

The family never heard Mom say anything negative about anyone her entire life. She accepted all who came into her life, and always found the good in people. She valued living independently and was able to do so for 95 years. She lived to the end with a sharp mind and an acute memory.

Pauline's desire to be reunited with her beloved husband, Joe, and their oldest son, Dick, has now been fulfilled. She is survived by her daughters, Marilyn Kent Byrne and her husband, Bill, of Bryan, Texas; and Nancy Kent Campbell of Houston, Texas; and her sons, Steve Kent and Tim Kent of Mountain Home. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bill Byrne of Portland, Ore.; Greg Byrne of Tucson, Arizona, Jonathan Campbell of Houston, Texas; Lacy Kent of Mountain Home; Michelle Kent of Enid, Okla.; Cristina Kent of Las Vegas, Nev.; Sasha Kent and Steve Kent, both students at Idaho State; Adam Kent and Matt Kent of Boise; as well as four great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Joe and Pauline Scholarship Fund in the College of Education through the Idaho State University Foundation, Attn: Carla Jensen, 921 South 8th Avenue, Stop 8050, Pocatello ID 83209.

Pauline will always be remembered for her generous spirit, beautiful smile and delicious cherry pies.