A Brief History - Irene and Kenneth

Irene was born n the stone house near Hazelton that belonged to her grandfather, Gottlieb Grenz, Sr.

She graduated from elementary school in Tower City, where she lived on her parent's farm until she was sixteen.  Irene worked in Valley City as a waitress and also at the National Tea Food Store until she married Kenneth James at the age of 18.

Kenneth joined the Air force during the Korean War.  He was station in Kansas for most of his enlistment, so Irene went with him.  After Ken's 4 year enlistment was up, they moved to Dixon, Illinois, where ken worked at various jobs and then joined the Dixon fire department.

Ken was force to retire after experiencing some heart problems. Irene has been working at Borg Warner, making car parts, since approximately 1980.

Kenneth L James Kenneth L James Obituary Kenneth L. “Ken” James, 83, of Dixon, passed away Sunday, November 9, 2014, at Serenity Hospice and Home, Oregon, following an extended illness, surrounded by his wife and family. He was a firefighter for the Dixon Fire Department for 16 years, prior to his retirement. Kenneth was born December 9, 1930, in Burden, KA, the son of Lee and Fay (Potts) James. He married Irene Grenz on October 1, 1950, in Tower City, ND, where they resided at the time. Kenneth served in the United States Air Force from 1951 – 1955 during the Korean War. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dixon where he served on the church board for a short period of time. He was also a life-time member of the V.F.W. and the American Legion. Kenneth loved reading western novels and watching western movies, traveling, and telling humorous stories to anyone who would listen. He loved being around his family and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Irene James of Dixon; two sons, Michael (Jalaine) James of Tucson, AZ, Jeffrey (Jackie) James of Marengo; one daughter, Terry (Gary) Harden of Dixon; four grandchildren, Steve Harden, Laura Harden, Sara James, Ryan James; and one sister, Dorothy (Jim) Iwan of Loma Linda, MO. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harold and Marion James; three sisters, Pearl Whitmore, Murl Rhodenbough, Ruth Myer; and one daughter-in-law, Sharon James. V isitation will be from 2-4 and 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon, and from 10 a.m., until time of services at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, November 13, 2014, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Dixon, with the Rev. Frank Langholf, pastor, officiating. Burial with full military graveside services will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Dixon.