Marie Stentz

Marie Frances Stentz (nee Menke) of Mason, Ohio, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on August 25, 2025, at Hospice of Cincinnati, Blue Ash. She was born on July 14, 1935, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to the late Edward and Frances (nee Wurzelbacher) Menke.

Marie's life was rooted in faith and family. She held a deep connection with the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother to us all, and from a young age she felt called to a vocation of wife and mother. At just 18, she met Ray Stentz, the love of her life. Words cannot fully capture the bond they shared, but all who knew them could see and feel it. Through 68 years of marriage, Marie and Ray celebrated the birth of 9 children, 34 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren, and this big family brought her endless joy. Their home was filled with laughter, and Marie loved nothing more than to be surrounded by family, especially the children.

Marie's love extended far beyond her own household. In many ways, she treated everyone she met like family. Her arms were always open to those around her, and she tirelessly gave of herself in service to the community. She volunteered for Girl Scouts, La Leche League, Roger Bacon Band Boosters, Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center, and St. Anthony Parish in Morris, Indiana. Marie's kindness and generous spirit touched everyone she met, as she would make friends with neighbors, waiters and waitresses, delivery people, grocery store clerks, and even the nurses and aides who cared for her as her health began to decline. Marie had a gift for making others feel valued, special, and loved. She served as a mother to anyone who needed her, even if they didn’t know they did. Gentle, grateful, compassionate, and kind - Marie was a true gift to humanity.

Marie will forever remain in our hearts. To know her was to love her, and to be loved in return. How blessed are we to have been loved by Marie! Heavenly Father, give us the strength to follow her earthly life's example, until we meet again.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13

Marie is survived by her beloved husband Ray and children and grandchildren: Mary Jo (Hank) Kreuzman and their children, David, Drew, and Rebecca; Jean (Pete) Bias and their children, Tyler, Aaron, and Summer (Quincy Flint); Tony (Laura) Stentz and their children, Tara, Ryan, and Jason; Cathy (Rob) Girmann and their children, Sarah (Mark Bartley), Jeremy (Brandie), Ben (Katie), Adam (Riley), Robby, and Grace; Theresa (Todd) Banks and their children, Kristen (Clayton Rufft), Lauren (Luke Zastrow), Elaina, and Nathan (Gaby); Andy (Kim) Stentz and their children, Olivia, Sam, Emma, and Eleanor; Tim (Sandy) Stentz and their children, Rob, Nathan, Jon, and Alec; Jane (Kevin) Rowland and their children, Zachary, Lia, and Kaleb; and Maria (Brian) Rigling and their children, Isabel, Eli, and Evelyn.

She has seven great-grandchildren: Isaiah, Noah, Declan, and Vivian Bartley; Addie and Izzy Zastrow; June Flint.

Her surviving siblings are Sr. Rose Ann Menke CDP, Ruth (Ray) Miller, Sr. Jean Menke CDP, Rita (Bob) Krummen, and sister-in-law Mary Alice (Norb) Menke.

She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Frances Menke, brothers Clem and Norb Menke, granddaughter Anna Rowland, and brother-in-law Bob Krummen.

Visitation will be held at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 5720 Hamilton Mason Rd., Liberty Twp., OH 45011, on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, from 10 AM until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM.

The Mass will be live-streamed and can be accessed using the "Live Stream Masses" link at the bottom of the Church’s homepage, www.saint-max.org.

Thank you to all who have offered support and prayers during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Cincinnati at www.hospiceofcincinnati.org/donate/. We are grateful for the compassionate care Marie received during her time there.