James Krenz

Funeral Service for James "Jim" Krenz, age 84, of Wheaton, Minnesota will be held Monday, March 25, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Monson Township with Rev. Michael Breach officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 24th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Ranney-Bainbridge Funeral Home in Wheaton. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service time at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. James Robert Krenz was born on October 25, 1928 in Wahpeton, ND to Robert and Esther (Johnson) Krenz, of rural Wheaton, MN. Jim attended school in Monson Township and at the Morris Agricultural School, Morris, MN. Jim farmed with his father until he was drafted at age 25 to serve his country during the Korean Conflict. Jim entered active service duty on April 20, 1954 where, as Private First Class, he served, among other duties, as a Structure Specialist. Jim was honorably discharged in February of 1956. Jim returned from service to continue farming. He married Shirley Ann Smith on February 25, 1956. They made their home in rural Wheaton. To this union, three children were born; daughters Jay and Tamara, and son Robert. As well as being a small grain producer, Jim also operated a dairy farm for 21 years. Jim was one of the first farmers in Traverse County to organize for the NFO, the National Farmers Organization. Jim served on the board of Traverse Coop Oil for 17 years. He was also very active in his church, Monson Immanuel, serving in a number of positions over the years. In 1991, Jim retired from farming. At that time, he began driving for the MN-DAK sugar beet plant out of Wahpeton, ND, hauling beets from terminals in the area to the plant in Wahpeton. During his summers, he worked for Larry Dolman, hauling grain for Larry's custom combine operation from Oklahoma to North Dakota. Jim also worked with his daughter on her farm, enjoying his grand children by seeing them work alongside him. Jim was happiest in a big rig,' or in somebody's new tractor. In 2007, Jim sold the farm site and moved into Wheaton. He enjoyed working in his yard, tinkering with his antique tractors, spending time with his grandchildren from Colorado on their visits back, traveling, and receiving company anytime someone stopped by to say hello. He and his sister Joyce, exchanged visits between New Mexico and MN until Jim could no longer travel to the high country.' He especially enjoyed exchanging stories with relatives and friends over an ice cold can of Coors Light. Jim passed away on March 16, 2013 at the Traverse Care Center in Wheaton. Jim is survived by three children: Jay Krenz-Lichtsinn of Bloomington, Minnesota; Tamara Krenz of Erie, Colorado; and Robert (Carolyn) Krenz of Boulder, Colorado; sister Joyce Eyster of Los Alamos, New Mexico; eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his parents and one great-grandson.

---

Visitation

Ranney-Bainbridge Funeral Home

• Sunday, March 24, 2013
• 05:00 AM - 07:00 AM
• Email Details
• 106 North 10th Street
  Wheaton, MN 56296

Directions

---

Funeral Service

Immanuel Lutheran Church (Monson Township)

• Monday, March 25, 2013
• Email Details
• 7006 740th Street
  Wheaton, MN 56296

Directions