Lenis Elaine Entzel, 78, formerly of Minot, died Saturday, April 6, 2013 in an Erskine nursing home. Lenis was born May 2, 1934 in Judson, ND, to Albert and Mae (Adams) Grimm. She was raised on the family farm and graduated from New Salem High School in 1952. A shy, isolated girl, she blossomed in high school, where she was known for her love of horses, drawing skills, performance in the senior class play, and her statuesque "Betty Grable" figure.
She attended Bismarck Junior College for a short time, then was employed as a nurses aid at Mandan Community Hospital, where she met Alfred Henry Entzel of rural Mandan. They wed April 2, 1956, and resided in Bismarck, where they had two children. They then lived in Stanton and Ray, before settling in Minot, ND, where she worked as a nurses aid for Trinity Hospital, and Alfred worked as a farm equipment salesman for Farmers Union.
Lenis was creative and eccentric, enjoyed colorful clothing, drawing, painting, crafts, sewing, gardening, hiking/camping in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Glacier Park, Montana, was a fan of Elvis Presley and visited Graceland twice.
Lenis and Alfred divorced in the early 80\'s, and she continued to reside in Minot, presumably worked as a cook for a rancher in Sawyer for a time, and then lived in Crookston, MN around 1993 to 1997. Details are scarce, as the family lost touch with her for a period of about 10 years. Poor health eventually placed her in Ah-Gwah-Ching nursing home, and in 2001 she was transferred to Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, MN, where she resided until her death.
Lenis was preceded in death by her parents, sister DeLores (Howard) Flatau, sister Lorraine (Robert) Feland, and ex-husband Alfred Entzel. Surviving are her son Monte Entzel, and daughter, Colleen (Randy) Pfeilschiefter, granddaughters Kate and Jenna Pfeilschiefter.
Her children would appreciate learning about any memories of Lenis from others.
No local services are planned.