Jake Grenz

Minnie, Darin, Jake - 1999

Jake

Jake grew up in the Hazelton area and attended two different schools there. At the age of 9 or 10, he would attend school for a few days at the beginning of the school term, then miss a couple months to help with the farm work. In the Spring, he would miss school again for a few weeks, and in this way finished 6th or 7th grade. When he was about 17 years old, he joined the CCC and spent two years in their camp. When his parents moved to a farm near Tower City, he worked on various farms until he was called into the Army in June, 1942. Jake received his basic training at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. He was originally sent to Iran; from there, he was sent to Sicily and Italy, where he was wounded in the leg and received the Purple Heart. After being flown back to the U. S., he spent several months in the Veterans Hospital at Battle Creek, Michigan, before he was sent back to Italy, where he again served some time. Jake was discharged in 1944 at Killeen, Texas. (Service Photo)

After his service years, Jake attended Mechanics School at Wahpeton; he has worked as an automobile mechanic in Valley City, LaMoure, Casselton and Fargo. Since his retirement in 1981, he has been living in Fargo, ND.

Minnie has worked for the telephone company for many years; she also has retired, as of 1990.

Jake and Minnie have a motor home that they enjoy taking on trips. They plan on spending some time in Arizona during the winters, now that they are both retired.

Jake - 1999

Minnie O. Smith Obituary

Minnie O. Smith, 91 of Fargo, died Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Eventide Nursing Home Fargo.
Minnie was born in Litchfield, ND on April 21, 1928 to Han and Signe Justesen. Minnie was the youngest of 8 children. After graduating Litchfield High School, she went on to graduate from the Central Dakota Commercial College in Jamestown in 1948. On September 10, 1965 she married Jake Grenz in Valley City. Minnie’s career was primarily with the Ma Bell companies, working first in Valley City for 25 years and then in Fargo for 13 years from 1976 until her retirement.
After retirement, Minnie and Jake would spend winters in Arizona and California until Jake’s death in 2001.
Minnie married Donald Smith on August 13, 2004. They enjoyed five happy years together until Don’s passing in 2009.
In the summer of 2016, Minnie suffered a fall at her apartment from which she never fully recovered.
Minnie is survived by her son, Darin Grenz of Auckland, New Zealand, step-sons Donald Smith of Rogersville, AL, and David (Kathleen) Smith of Fargo, step-daughters Debra (Greg) Mitchell of Brandon, SD and Susan (Roy) Evans of Fargo and sister Evelyn Butcher of Fargo.
Minnie was proceeded by her parents, both husbands and six of her siblings.