Aiga Elisabeth Gent

Aiga Elisabeth Gent died November 13, 2021 at the age of 92. Aiga Elisabeth Ingrid Weiler was born in Mainz Germany to Alfred Helmut Martin Weiler and Maria Johann Kohler. She was the 1st of 4 children. Aiga lived with her grandparents in Hofheim Germany where at the age of two she would meet her best childhood friend Margot and would remain friends throughout their lives.

Aiga was a war bride, meeting her husband Floyd, a member of the US Army and later the Air Force, while she was working in Frankfurt in the office of a shoe factory. They were married in Hofheim, on Sept. 6, 1948. Returning to the United States in Nov. 1948. The family traveled around the United States, from the cold of Fairbanks, Alaska to finally landing in the warmth of Fort Walton Beach, Florida. At their first station in South Dakota, they would add to their family with the arrival of their first two children, Floyd and then Ingrid. Five years after Ingrid the family would welcome little Aiga, who would pass away at the age of 2. The family finally settled in Fort Walton Beach Florida in 1958. Two years later at the age of 30, Aiga was widowed when her husband passed away suddenly, leaving her 3 months pregnant.

Aiga, pregnant with Chris, along with Floyd 11 and Ingrid 9, would have to make a life for her family. With the help of Floyd’s family, who were in Pensacola area, along with an older couple, Dorsey and Thelma Hoppa, who had befriended the family upon their arrival, Aiga began her life as the head of the family. To support her family, Aiga started work as an entry level key-punch data entry operator at Elgin AFB, progressed to being in charge of the computer programming of the supply computers, and finally was promoted to 2nd in Command of Supply/Logistics at Hurlburt achieving a rank of GS-11.  She was offered opportunities to earn a higher rank but that would mean moving from the FWB area. It was when she learned how to write programs for base supply her gifts became apparent. Sent to Denver to advance her knowledge of programming, Aiga got to show off her talent. Surrounded by other attendees with advanced degrees in Mathematics from various AF Bases, Aiga finished first in her class.

After retiring, Aiga, a devout Catholic, who had been part of the St Mary Parish since 1958, became an active member The Legion of Mary until finally having to retire due to her illness. Playing bridge with friends, sewing and crocheting were just a few of her passions.

Her beautiful life will be forever cherished in the lives of her children; Floyd M and wife Kathy, Nora “Ingrid” and husband James Voigt, Christopher A and wife Debora; grandchildren, Adam and wife Diane Gent, Kelly and husband Michael Engelskirger, Benjamin and wife Mei Gent, Jennifer Voigt, Chase Gent; Great grandchildren, Chase, Olin and Zachary.

Mass will be at St. Mary’s Church, 110 St. Mary Ave. SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL, Thursday, November 18th at 10am with a Celebration of Life following at 11:30am at the life center at St. Mary’s. The burial service will be held on Friday, November 19th at 10am at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Road, Pensacola FL.

The family expresses its thanks to the nurses and aids at Kruse Village and the staff of Brazos Valley Hospice in Texas. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.

Please visit www.daviswatkins.com to sign the guestbook, express condolences and share memories.