Dennis E. Grenz, 71, Bismarck, formerly of Dickinson, died Sunday, February 23, 2014 at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck following a hard fought battle with cancer. Funeral services for Dennis will be at 10 a.m., Friday, February 28, 2014 at the United Methodist Church, Dickinson, with Rev. Dan Freed officiating. Military honors will follow the funeral and be provided by the Dickinson Honors Team. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m., Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service

Dennis Earl Grenz was born May 22, 1942, the son of Gottlieb and Elsie (Schatz) Grenz, in Temvik. He was raised and educated in Temvik, and had graduated from Linton High School in 1960. He then went on to attend Wahpeton State School of Science, earning a degree in general mechanics in 1961.

Dennis enlisted in the United States Navy in 1962 and had served honorably on the USS Caliente during Vietnam, receiving an honorable discharge in 1966. He returned to North Dakota and went to work for WW Wallwork in Fargo. His son Greg was born in 1971 while living in Fargo. He moved to Bismarck in 1979, where he worked at Norby Rath Ford Dealership.

Dennis met Debby Kunkel and they were united in marriage on May 28, 1983. At this time he also gained another son, Scott. Their daughter, Amanda was born in 1984. The family moved to Dickinson in 1986, where they made their home. Dennis began working for Parkway Ford in 1986, retiring as the Service Manager in 2009.

He was a Ford man who drove nothing but the American made classic. He made many friends during his automotive career. He had a love for woodworking and spent many hours puttering in his workshop. He had a talent for scroll saw work and many of his friends and family have a piece to cherish. Dennis was an avid Budweiser stein collector, and over the years his collection grew into the 100s. He had a passion for the perfect lawn. His yard was always green and cut to perfection. Dennis had a love for his Dachshunds, and they always brought a smile to his face. He enjoyed walking his hounds, snuggling in the chair with them and occasionally sharing his dinner with them.

Dennis was a very active Lions Club member for 33 years in Dickinson, and prior to that with the Mandan Lions Club. He enjoyed his time with the Lions, helping with projects, one of which was the Relay for Life, which he held dear to his heart. He had received the Melvin Jones Fellow for Dedicated Humanitarian Service, the highest honored Lion award

Dennis is survived by his three children, Greg Grenz, Fargo, Amanda (Chase) Gunwall, Bismarck, and Scott (Sarah) Kaelberer, Post Falls, Idaho; nephew, David Wideman; and numerous members of the very special Kunkel family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Debby, on August 4, 2013; his parents; and his sister, Velma Wideman.

Obituary  Debbie (Grenz) Kunkel

Debby Grenz, 61, Dickinson, died Sunday, August 4, 2013 at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck. Debby’s funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, August 9, 2013 at the United Methodist Church, Dickinson, with Rev. Dan Freed officiating. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to services.

Deborah Kunkel was born February 8, 1952, the daughter of Floyd and Nina (Norton) Kunkel, in Mandan. She was raised on the family farm south of New Salem, graduating from New Salem High School in 1970. Her son Scott was born on December 4, 1972.

Debby met Dennis in 1982 and lived in Mandan, where she worked at Corral Sales. Debby and Dennis were united in marriage on May 28, 1983. Their daughter, Amanda was born June 18, 1984. They moved to Dickinson in 1986, where they made their home.

She had a love for many things. She was known around the neighborhood for her amazing holiday decorating. Deb loved to bring out the holiday spirit in everyone. She loved her flowers and little yard figurines, making the Grenz yard a sight to see. Debby’s love for kids led her to daycare for nine years. She raised many children that loved her to pieces. She and Amanda found great joy in rummaging, there weren’t many sales they just drove by. The goodies collected, and Dennis would say "Now what did you buy?"

Deb had also worked at St. Benedict’s Health Center, and Jack’s Family Restaurant, where she made many friends. She loved napping at any time with her Dachshunds, Akira, Kita, Molly and Daisy.

Debby is survived by her husband, Dennis; their children, Amanda (Chase) Gunwall, Bismarck, Scott (Sarah) Kaelberer, Post Falls, Idaho, and Greg Grenz, Fargo; her mother, Nina Filibeck, New Salem; three siblings, Nancy (Joey) Dewitz, Dennis (Gloria) Kunkel, and Russell (Tammy) Kunkel; step-sisters, Janice Filibeck, Joyce (Jim) Ulmer, Jane (Dennis) Schiele, Mary Ann Filibeck, and Donna Emter; step-sister-in-law, Janet Filibeck; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Floyd Kunkel; stepfather, John Filibeck; and step-brother, John Filibeck.