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Krause Gentle Co-Founder T.S. ‘Tony’ Gentle Passes Away WEST DES MOINES, IA JUNE 29, 2006
Business leader, entrepreneur leaves legacy of innovation and service
West Des Moines, IA – June 29, 2006 – Mr. Tony S. Gentle, co-founder of Krause Gentle Corporation and the Kum & Go stores, passed away Wednesday at the age of 92 at Naples Community Hospital in Florida, following a courageous battle with cancer, with his family at his bedside.
“I personally lost the very best partner and all of our Krause Gentle family lost a gifted retailer who reveled in the success of others as opposed to any personal recognition or publicity,” says Krause Gentle Chairman and Co-Founder W. A. “Bill” Krause. “He was the genesis of our name, Krause Gentle, and I owe everything to him.”
The son of Italian immigrants, Anthony “Tony” Gentle was born November 3, 1913, in Waterloo , Iowa . He grew up working in his family’s fruit and vegetable store. Following college and marriage to Mary Angela “Ange” Downing, his wife of 68 years, he embarked on an entrepreneurial journey that grew to impact the retail business environment of Iowa and beyond.
In 1959, Tony Gentle bought a gas station in Hampton , Iowa , and began a partnership with his son-in-law, W. A. “Bill” Krause, to launch what became known as Kum & Go convenience stores. The partners successfully pioneered modern convenience industry practices. Kum & Go is now in 13 states with 445 stores. Today, Kum & Go, L.C. stores have become America ’s 20th largest convenience store chain and are known nationwide for their customer focus, product assortment and innovative marketing.
“My grandfather and Dad formed what many viewed as a perfect business and personal partnership,” says Kyle Krause, Kum & Go’s President and CEO. “Tony’s retail and merchandising talents combined with Bill’s entrepreneurial vision and relational skills brought forth a uniquely successful entity.”
An only child, Mr. Gentle graduated in 1932 from Iowa Falls High School and then enrolled in Ellsworth Community College . In 1933, he transferred to Loras College in Dubuque to study business, where he also met his future wife, Ange. Following college, he was an owner and operated a collection agency in Waterloo . He purchased a smoke shop in Iowa Falls which he operated until he was called to serve in the Army in 1943, where he was stationed in Germany . At the end of World War II, Mr. Gentle purchased Rite Drug in Iowa Falls , and operated it until 1965. During that time, he expanded his business interests by purchasing a gas station in Hampton in 1959. From this, other small gas stations also were purchased, leading to the development of the Krause Gentle Corporation.
Mr. Gentle was a past board member of Iowa Valley Community College Foundation and an active member of the Elks Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion.
Tony Gentle is survived by his wife Mary Angela, his daughter Nancy Susan and her husband W. A. “Bill” Krause. Grandchildren include Kevin (Mary) Krause of Davenport, Iowa; Kyle ( Sharon ) Krause of Booneville, Iowa ; and Kate (David) Krause Prange of Chicago , Illinois ; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements will be handled by the Vogel Funeral Home with services to be scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 6, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 415 Main Street , Iowa Falls , Iowa . Visitation at St. Mark’s is scheduled for 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 5 followed by a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Iowa Falls High School Scholarship Fund or the T.S. Gentle Center at Ellsworth Community College .
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