Elma Dorsam Gentry, 94, of Lafayette, IN passed away peacefully on June 12, 2023. Born April 16, 1929 to George & Emma Dorsam in Fort Branch, IN, Elma had three siblings: Edna, Ella, & Earl. Elma married Ralph “Bud” Gentry on February 21, 1953. The couple celebrated their 70th anniversary with family and friends on February 25, 2023. She and Bud were 1947 Fort Branch H.S graduates. After her mother died in 1946, Elma began working at the Star Theatre. In 1952, Bud & Elma began dating when she worked for the Emge Packing Co. After Bud & Elma married, they moved to Pittsboro, IN., where Elma worked for the Wm. H. Block Co. department store. In 1954, the couple moved to Schweinfurt, Germany, for two years where Bud served as an Army mobile radio relay operator. The family returned home in 1957 where Bud resumed his career in the lumber industry, settling in Lafayette in 1968. Elma enjoyed her family, cooking, gardening, and Purdue sports. In addition to taking care of her five children, Elma worked at Purdue in the Registrar’s Office from 1973 until her retirement in 1996. After that, she was the “First Lady” of Bud Gentry Plumbing and she worked extensively on rental properties that she and Bud owned and managed. Surviving are husband Bud, children John (Debbie) of Richmond, IN; Kathy (John) of Pickerington, OH; Diane (Randy) of Chicago, IL; and Joe (Dawn) of Fishers, IN. Son Dave preceded her in death on July 11, 2019. Bud & Elma have 10 grandchildren with 7 spouses and 7 great-grandchildren. A visitation for Elma is scheduled for Sat. July 15 from 1-2 pm at Soller-Baker Funeral Home, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette.  Elma’s funeral service at 2 pm will immediately follow her visitation. Final place of rest will be at St. Lucas Cemetery in Fort Branch at a later date. Expressions of sympathy can be messages or donations to Alzheimer’s Association Lafayette or Franciscan Hospice Care Lafayette.