Karen Grenz. daughter of John and Irene (Wittmier) Grenz, was born October 10, 1948.  she is a 1967 graduate of Napoleon High School and a 1971 graduate of Valley City State college double majoring in Physical education and geography,  She taught in Minnesota from 1971 - 76 and then moved to Bismarck, ND.  In 1979, she returned to teaching and is a part-time physical education teacher at Simle Jr. High in Bismarck, ND.

On June 19, 1974 she married James A. Strand of rural Portland, ND.  Jim was born on June 11, 1949 to James T and Henrietta (Thuen) Strand.  He graduated from Portland High School in 1967, and Mayville State College in 1972.  He taught in Minnesota from 1972 - 76 and then accepted a science teaching position at Hughes Junior High School in Bismarck, ND.  In the summer Jim farms in the Hazelton and Linton area.

Jim and Karen have two children, Ryan Jay was born September 21, 1976 and Krista Lee was born June 10, 1979

Obituary for Karen Grenz

Karen Irene (Grenz) Strand, 70, rural Hazelton, passed away Aug. 3, 2019, after a 3½ year battle with pancreatic cancer, surrounded by her loving family. They cherish the time they had with her.

Karen was born Oct. 10, 1948, in Bismarck, to John "Custer" Grenz and Irene (Wittmier) Grenz. She lived on the family farm with three brothers, Harley, Gene, and Steve, 15-miles east of Napoleon, a prairie land known as "The Flat" until the family moved into Napoleon where her parents owned and operated a restaurant called "Irene's Cafe."

Karen attended school in Napoleon and graduated in 1967. She attended NDSU as a freshman before transferring and earning her bachelor's degree from Valley City State University. She started her teaching and coaching career in Ada and Sartell, Minn. It was in Ada that Karen met her future husband, Jim Strand, who was also a teacher.

Karen and Jim were married on June 29, 1974, at the United Methodist Church, in Napoleon. In 1976, the couple moved back to their home state of North Dakota where they taught and coached in the Bismarck school system for another 29 years, and where Karen also coached volleyball. Two children were born to them; a daughter, Krista; and a son, Ryan.

After retirement in 2006 they moved to rural Hazelton. They enjoyed living in the country and planted ten miles of trees earning them the honor of "Emmons County Conservation Award" and the "NDSU State Conservation Award." They made many treasured friends, both in Hazelton and their winter home in Sun City West, Ariz.

Karen enjoyed life and will be remembered by family and friends for her outgoing personality, contagious smile, and unique laugh. She was known as the "social director," organizing many pinochle and Mahjong clubs both in North Dakota and Arizona.

Karen was blessed to have shared her life with her husband, Jim, of 45 years; children, Krista (Scott) Majkrzak, West Fargo, and Ryan (Lisa) Strand, Castle Rock, Colo.; grandchildren, Taylor and Ryder Majkrzak, Samuel and Finnley Strand; brothers, Harley (Gloria) Grenz, Napoleon, and Steve (Malai) Grenz, Cheyenne, Wyo.; and three brothers-in-law, Jerald (Carol) Strand, Casselton, Michael (Madonna) Strand, Portland, and Dean Strand, Portland.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, John "Custer" and Irene (Wittmier) Grenz; her brother, Gene Grenz; in-laws, James and Henrietta Strand; and grandparents, Gust and Lydia Wittmier, and Gottleib G. and Christine (Wentz) Grenz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the United Methodist Church in Napoleon or the Napoleon Cemetery Association.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 9, 2019, at the Salem United Methodist Church, in Napoleon. A private family burial will be held at a later date.