Joseph Euchachius Krenzel, 86, of Euclid, MN, passed away early Sunday morning, June 25, 2023, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.
Joseph was born near Harvey, ND on May 28, 1937, the oldest of 9 children of the union of Otto and Catherine (Schneider) Krenzel. His Father and Mother were hurrying to the hospital in Harvey as she was going into labor. Joseph couldn’t wait and was born in their car on the overpass 6 miles out of town. That is why he was born NEAR Harvey.
Joseph was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and received his education in the Orin, ND school. He went on to serve his country with the US Navy and upon his return he began working as a peace officer with the Harvey Police Department. On September 1, 1964, Joseph was united in marriage to Sharon Heilman in Selz, ND. Soon after the wedding they moved to Drake, ND where he was employed at Cenex. In 1971 the couple moved to Emerado, ND and Joseph began what would become a 33-year career working for the Simplot Company, formerly known as Western Potato and then International Co-op. Shortly after his retirement in 2004, he and Sharon settled in Harvey, ND and then in 2022 relocated to Euclid to be close to their daughters and grandchildren.
Joseph was an outdoorsman who trapped furs as a youngster and hunted and fished throughout his life. On his CB radio, his handle was “The Fisherman”. He was a devoted Catholic and held memberships at St. Stephen’s in Larimore. St. Michael’s in Grand Forks, and St. Anthony’s in Selz. Joseph was a jack of all trades who could install anything and fix everything. He had a dry, wicked sense of humor and sometimes those he kidded weren’t sure if he was joking or not. Joseph was a man of peace, often the mediator of arguments, but never started any conflicts of his own. He will be remembered as a loving and faithful Husband, an amazing Father and Grandfather, and a kind and protective big brother to his 8 siblings. Nothing brought him greater joy than his family and a cold beer.
Joseph is survived by Sharon, his beloved wife of 58 years; their 2 daughters, Julie Andres of Grand Forks, ND and Becky Krenzel and her life partner, Shawn Jeuch, of Euclid, MN; 3 grandchildren: Justin “Earl” Andres and life partner, Erin Larson, and Ian Andres, all of Grand Forks, and Lexi Jeuch of Euclid; 2 brothers and a sister: Rudy (Regina) Krenzel of Germany, and Leo Krenzel and Agnes Krenzel of Rugby, ND; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; a niece, Angela Kay Krenzel; and 5 brothers: Otto, Pius, Hugo, Romanus, and Tony.
A graveside service for Joseph Krenzel will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 3, 2023, at the Prairie View Cemetery, just north of Euclid on Hwy 75, with Celebrant Trey Everett, officiating. The service will be live-streamed by going to Joseph’s obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view.
