Christian Grenz

Christian Grenz Information

Born: September 1, 1904 - Gueldendorf, Odessa, S. Russia

Died: April 26, 1995 - Miles City, Montana

Father: Gottlieb Grenz

Mother: Christina Hogue

Married: November 7, 1927

Spouse: Paulina Schlecht

Born: August 23, 1906 - Wilhelmthal, South Russia (Ukraine)

Died: July 18, 1969

Married: 1947

Spouse: Rose Anheluk

Born: February 3, 1921 - Gorham, North Dakota

Died: June 2, 2004 - Miles City, Montana

Father: Steve Anheluk

Mother: Katherine Godlesky

Christian Grenz

He was the youngest of 10 children, with 4 sisters and 5 brothers. The family immigrated to the U.S. on November 30, 1905 and traveled to Eureka, S.D. They rented some land and lived there two years before moving the Hazelton, N. D. where Chris was raised. Chris married Pauline Schlecht on Nov. 7, 1927, and they had seven children. They owned and operated a bar in Hazelton in the early 1930's. Chris moved to Belfield, where he met Rose and in 1945 moved to Miles City. Chris and Rose Anhelhuk were united in Marriage in 1947. To this union, two children were born. They opened the 600 Bar and Cafe in Miles City. Chris worked hard for his family. Throughout the years, Chris loved dealing with oil and mineral leases, and loved to hunt with his sons. Burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Buried Custer County Cemetery. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City in charge of arrangements

Obituary

Christian Grenz and Pauline Schlecht - Wedding Day November 7, 1927

Chris at 40

Christian Grenz

by Marcella Grenz

Chris Grenz was born in Gueldendorf, Russia on Sept. 1, 1904, the youngest of ten children. He was only 1-year-old when the family emigrated to the U. S. For many ears, he believed that he was born in South Dakota. Chris was a good boxer and wrestler in his youth. He was also an avid hunter; Bill, the oldest son of Gottlieb, Jr. remembers listening to this Uncle Chris describing a bear hunting trip with a friend to Canada to hunt bears. They came upon a big grizzle and they both emptied their guns into this grizzly. The bear chased them back to their car before he finally dropped dead1 Marcella also remembers Chris bringing home all sorts of game from his hunting trips when she was a child, which their mother cooked for the family. Chris would also bring home wild animals. They had a caged raccoon in their yard one summer plus a batch of baby skunks in the garage. Chris loved to sing an whistle. One of his favorite songs was "Sioux City Sue".

Although Chris was very quick-tempered, he was also a very generous man. He has helped many people over the years. One thing his children did not appreciate was his habit of passing out nicknames, especially to his children!

Chris married Pauline Schlect on Nov. 27, 1927. Although Pauline was born in Odessa, Russia, she was raised and educated in Temvik, ND. They had children; they were divorced in 1945. Pauline married Robert Schultz in 1957; she passed away in 1969, and is interred at memorial Gardens in Bismarck.

Chris operated a bar in Hazelton during the 1930's. He moved to Belfield in the 1940's and operated a bar there for approx. 2 years before he purchased a bar in Miles City, Mt. He married Rose Anheluk in 1946, they had 2 sons. Chris operated the "600 Bar & Cafe" for many years. He has sold it to his son Chris (Butch). Rose is still working and taking care of Chris, who is in ill health.

Rose Anheluk

Rose Anheluk Grenz

Rose Grenz, 83, of Miles City died Tuesday, June 2, 2004, at the Holy Rosary Health center in Miles city. born in Gorham, ND on Feb 3, 1921, she was the daughter of Russian Immigrants Steve and Katherine Godlesky Anheluk. As a young girl, she was a shepherd, with dreams of one day being able to drive an automobile, which they would occasionally see passing through. the family would travel to town once a year by horse and buggy, the daughters receiving only a nickel a piece to spend.

While in Belfield, she met Chris Grenz in 1945 and married in 1947. The couple moved to Miles City in 1948 and purchased the 600 Bar.

Mrs. Grenz convinced her husband to start a five-stool restaurant and bakery across from the bar. As the dining area continued to expand, the bar was moved downstairs, beginning the era, which would later be known as the 600 Cafe.

Never would Mrs. Grenz have dreamed that the 600 Cafe would become the anchor tenant of downtown Main Street in Miles City.

She was a very active in the Catholic Church and in helping the community. for the past several years, she hosted the Harvest Dinner, a benefit for the catholic Church, which will continue as a tribute in her name.

Mrs. Grenz was also an avid traveler, exploring much of the world near and far.

Her survivors include two sons, Chris "Butch" Grenz of Miles City and Carter "Ike" Grenz of Flippin, Arizona. Her stepdaughters, Sheila Koon of vista, Calif, Joan Marie of Chico, Calif, and Marcella Olson of Bismarck, ND and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Chris, Mrs. Grenz was preceded in death by her parents and her children, James "Spike" Grenz, Tom Grenz, Gardner Grenz, and Betty Wilhelm.

A Vigil Service will be held on Friday, June 4, 2004 at 89 pm in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, June 5, 2004 at 10am in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Rite of Committal will follow in the Custer County Cemetery.

Miles City Star 6/13/2004 Obituary

The Christian Grenz Family Memorial Day - 1989

Back Row: James ( Spike), Gardner, Christopher (Butch), Grandpa Chris, Carter (Ike), Thomas

Front Row: Marcella Grenz Olson, Joan Grenz, Rose Analuk Grenz, Elizabeth (Betty) Wilhelm, Sheila Grenz Koon

The family portrait is the lat time the whole family was together. The picture was taken Memorial Day weekend of 1989, big celebration - Gardner was being inducted into the Montana Baseball Hall of Fame. It was a good excuse to all be together, Garner was sick with terminal cancer and any excuse would have been a good reason for every one to come home.

Cheryl (Kling) Thomas Grenz