Neil K. Krenz, 76, Minot, ND and formerly of rural Kramer, died at a Minot hospital of complications related to cancer on Sunday, September 27, 2009.

Neil was born on July 15, 1933 to Gustav and Daisy (Kersten) Krenz at their farm home in Kane Township near Newburg, ND. On August 13, 1933, Neil was baptized as a child of God at St. John's Lutheran Church, Deep, ND.

In 1939, Gust and Daisy and their children, Arvel, Marshall and Neil, moved to their newly purchased farm east of Kramer. The Krenz family became members of Zion Lutheran Church, Kramer. It was at Zion where Neil was confirmed in his faith on April 4, 1948.

Neil attended country schools in the area and graduated from Kramer High School in 1951. He assisted his parents in their farm operation while developing his independent farming interests. On September 30, 1961, Neil and Dianne Schnabel were married at Zion. They continued to make their home on the family farm where they raised their children, Melinda, Michele, Stephen and Andrew.

Throughout the years Neil expanded his farming interests raising small grains. He was committed to updating and maintaining his farm operation and farmstead. There he relaxed in his summer garden after long hours in the field and enjoyed winter gardening in his greenhouse. Neil was a longtime fan of Minnesota Twins baseball. Throughout the years, Neil and Dianne enjoyed traveling with their campers. They also made several trips to Alaska to visit family.

Neil served on various community and church boards. He videotaped Zion's Sunday church services for many years and derived much pleasure in visiting with shut-in friends as he delivered God's Word. He will be remembered as a man committed to his faith, marriage and family. Friends and family found him to be hard working, patient and congenial.

Medical issues dictated Neil's retirement in 1993. In 2003 Neil and Dianne sold their farmstead and moved to Minot where they became members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Neil was a participant in Minot's Parkinson Support Group. It was by the grace of God that he persevered through eighteen years of health issues relating to cancer and Parkinson's disease.

Neil's loving family includes: Wife of almost 48 years, Dianne, Minot; Children: Melinda and Ivan Wold and their children Hanna & Sophie, St. Ansgar, Iowa, Mark and Michele Peterson and their children Benjamin, Jonathon, Joseph, Karl and Synje, Grand Forks, ND, Stephen and Lisa Krenz and their children Joel and Anna, Hoffman, IL, Andrew and Kendra Krenz and their daughter Madeline, Kongiganak, Alaska; Brother: Marshall (Sandra) Krenz, Bismarck, ND; Sister-in-law: Doris Ferguson, Heber Springs, AR; Brother-in-law: Mark (Carol) Schnabel, Minot, ND; Sisters-in-law: Marlene (Raymond) Hilman, Greer, SC and Joanne (Steven) Berntson, Paullina, IA; Aunt Lilly Nicholson, Uncle Ardie (Izetta) Krenz, Aunts Jordis Kersten, Amanda Biegel, Rose Von Asten and numerous Nieces and Nephews.

He was preceded in death by parents, sister, Arvel Ferguson, brothers-in-law, John Ferguson and Ronald Seppanen.

Visitation will be at Thomas Family Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 30th from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Neil's family and those whose lives he touched will remember their Savior's promises of Eternal Life made to Neil and all Christians at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Minot, Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Graveside Service will be at 2:30 p.m. Zion Cemetery, Rural Kramer.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to St. Paul's Church Organ Fund, Shepherd's Hill at the Crossroads, Rolla or Minot Parkinson's Support Group.