Margaret (Peggy) Gentile, 81, of Cook, died peacefully at home Thursday March 13, 2025.

She was born on January 28, 1944, 27 minutes before her sister Patty, the daughters of Kenneth and Gertrude Loomis. She grew up in Virginia and after high school graduation worked at Vos's resort with Patty to earn money for college.  She went on to Virginia Junior College where she completed her degree to become an LPN in 1963 and was later united in marriage to the love of her life, Tom (Thomas) Gentile on December 28th, 1963. They moved to Duluth, where she worked as an LPN at St. Mary's Hospital for over 35 years.  After she and Tom were retired, they moved back to Virginia in 2008. Peggy worked tirelessly and lovingly as primary caregiver to Tom after he suffered a debilitating stroke.  In spite of this, she maintained an incredible and positive outlook enjoying her time with Tom watching game shows and listening to Elvis Presley music. Peggy loved puzzles (of all kinds) and talking with friends and fellow residents every day. Peggy was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cook where she loved serving in the kitchen with Patty. She also loved her knick-knacks, of all types, but bears and birds were her favorite and no one ever received a greeting card from Peggy that didn't have at least 7 stickers on it.

She is survived by her sister Ken Marie Hedquist of Esko, MN; her son Thomas (Cecilia) Gentile of Pottsboro, TX; daughter Gina (Jim) DerGantz of Maple Grove, MN; and 3 grandchildren: Elizabeth Gentile, Sarah Gentile and Maggie DerGantz.

She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas, father Kenneth, mother Gertrude, son in law Jim DerGantz; and brothers in law, Will Hedquist, Len DeRusha and Jerry Kiiskinen.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 12th, 2025 at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church, Cook, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.