Genene Gailey Rentmeister

August 24, 1936 — December 15, 2023

Genene Gailey Rentmeister, age 87, died Friday, December 15, 2023, and entered into the warm embrace of her eternal companion, Don Rentmeister, and his first wife, Verlyn Gittens.

Genene was the seventh of eight children born to Edwin Edmonds Gailey and Maggie Elizabeth Smedley in Ogden, UT, but was raised in Syracuse. She graduated from Davis High School and met the love of her life, Donald Neil Rentmeister. They were married in the Logan Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on June 2, 1954.

Mom spent her life serving her family and those around her. She especially loved her role as caretaker for Dad and helping him with his assignments in the church and in the community. She was a stay-at-home mom and loved spending time with her family. She was passionate about baking bread and enjoyed sharing it with her neighbors.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many callings, including Primary Teacher, Visiting Teacher, and Compassionate Service Coordinator.

Together, Mom and Dad worked with the Syracuse Historical Committee to write a history of the town of Syracuse, and they gathered items for the Syracuse Museum. Mom was honored to serve as a grand marshal of the Syracuse Heritage Days Parade in 2019; she also received a Key to the City for her work with Don. While working on the two community projects, Mom and Dad were honored to work with some amazing citizens. Those friendships will be cherished through eternity.

Genene was preceded in death by her husband and her parents; by her brothers Verge, Neil, Van, Garth, Boyd, and Wells Gailey; sister Eula Walker and husband Stan Walker; brother-in-law Grant Cunning; and three grandchildren, Rachael Brown, Isiah Rentmeister, and Jackson Edward Lucas. She is survived by her sister Adele Cunning; sisters-in-law Joyce Gailey and Shirley Gailey; and by her children, Shelley (Randy) Brown, Sharlene (Tom) Ingraham, Joan (Jeff) Nakaishi, Chriss (Lauri) Rentmeister, Russell (Laura) Rentmeister, Julie (Mike) Kerswell, Ryan (Christy) Rentmeister, and Matthew (Sarah) Rentmeister. Her posterity includes 36 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren. Also parents to 3 foster children, Steve Acevedo, Darlene Nez Smith, and Kristi Larsen.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at The Peaks; her hospice care team; Visiting Angels; and physical therapist Bonnie Kalal, for their attentive care of Mom over the last few years.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday December 21, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Hansen Meadows Ward, 2500 S. Bluff Rd in Syracuse. Friends may visit family on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Syracuse Mortuary, 869 S. 2000 W. and on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment, Syracuse City Cemetery 1250 South 1000 West Syracuse, UT.