William G. Grenz

Willie was the son of Gottlieb and Christine (Wentz).  He was raised in Artas the first seven years of his life.  In 1925 the family moved to Napoleon, ND, where he attended grade school and graduated from high school.  as a young man he worked for his dad at the IGA grocery store and later worked for his brother Eugene at Lehr, ND.  Willie married Lorene Scott on May 2, 1943, at Wishek, ND.  They moved to Artas where they owned and operated a U-Save Valu.  They sold their store to their son, Terry, and retired for a time before opening the Variety and Clothing Store in McClusky in 1982.  Several years later, due to health reasons, they decided to take a full retirement and spend the winter months in Arizona and enjoy their family and friends.

The last few years his Parkinson's disease worsened and he spent his days reading, watching sports and visiting with his dedicated friends who came over often.  Will was active in the McClusky community activities while in business there.  He was a long time member of the McClusky Lions Club, a member of the United Methodist Church, and served on the board there for many years.

Willie was a quiet man until it came time to talk about fishing or about the basketball games and tournaments which he attend every year.  There always seemed to be enough room in Doc Schindler's or Jon Sparrow's car for a ride to the games.  Willie's pride and joy was his family.  The family gatherings means so much to him.  He loved his family and would do anything for them.

Willie is survived by his wife, Loren; two sons and daughter-in-law, Terry and Diane, McClusky; Toby, Kalamazoo, MI; daughter and son-in-saw; Debra and Tim Wieber, Andover, MN; 4 grandchildren, Aaron, Amy, Jennifer and Brian.  He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Timothy; brother, Eugene, Albert, John; sisters, Christine Hoen, Elsie Mayer and Ida Kiez.

Services held Thursday, August 10, 2000, 11:00A.M., United Methodist Church, McClusky.  Casket bearers: Tim Wieber, Harley Grenz, Jim Strand, Jason Rauel, Walter Lipp, Terry Sparrow.  Honorary Casket bearers:  Melvin Schindler, Lloyd Bauer, Edwin Herr, Carl Peterson.  Internment: McClusky City Cemetery.

Notes:  Cause of Death; Parkinson's Disease, heart failure

 

Lorene (Scott) Grenz Lorene Ida (Scott) Grenz, 96, passed away on March 7, 2020, Andover, Minn. She was born Sept. 5, 1923 on a farm near Wishek. Her parents were Vern and Myrtice (McClelland) Scott. At the age of 5 her parents moved to Wishek where she attended 1st grade through high school. She married Willie Grenz of Napoleon on May 2, 1943. Willie and Lorene lived in Lehr for several years and then moved to Artas, S.D., where they owned and operated a U-Save Store. Later they moved to McClusky and owned and operated the Grenz Super Valu Store. She was known as “the boss's wife.” Later they sold the store and opened a variety and clothing store. She enjoyed being a saleswomen in both stores. Lorene belonged to the United Methodist Church. She was a member of the choir, the UM Women Society and spent many years working with the children and youth groups. She was a den mother and belonged to the Thimble Bee Homemakers Club. Lorene enjoyed doing crafts, cooking and just being a mother and friend. Due to health reasons they both took full retirement and moved to Arizona. In 2000 Willie passed away, after which she sold their home and moved into an independent living home at Fellowship Square. That same year Terry and Diane also moved to Mesa where they were able to spend time together. In 2017 she moved to Minnesota due to health reasons to be close to Debra and her family. She resided in assistant living in Anoka and Andover, Minn. Lorene is survived by her children; Terrence and daughter-in-law Diane (Froehlich) of Mesa, Ariz.; Debra and son-in-law Timothy Wieber of Andover, Minn., Grandchildren; Aaron of N.H.; Amy, Jennifer and Brian Wieber of Minn. Lorene is preceded in death by her parents Vern and Myrtice Scott; husband Willie of 57 years; sons Timothy and Toby; brother, Dareld Scott, sister-in-law Elda Jean (Seefried) Scott. Graveside services will be held by the family at the McClusky Cemetery later this summer.