Minnie (Grenz) Smith

Minnie O. Smith, 91 of Fargo, died Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Eventide Nursing Home Fargo. Minnie was born in Litchfield, ND on April 21, 1928 to Han and Signe Justesen. Minnie was the youngest of 8 children. After graduating Litchfield High School, she went on to graduate from the Central Dakota Commercial College in Jamestown in 1948. On September 10, 1965 she married Jake Grenz in Valley City. Minnie’s career was primarily with the Ma Bell companies, working first in Valley City for 25 years and then in Fargo for 13 years from 1976 until her retirement. After retirement, Minnie and Jake would spend winters in Arizona and California until Jake’s death in 2001. Minnie married Donald Smith on August 13, 2004. They enjoyed five happy years together until Don’s passing in 2009. In the summer of 2016, Minnie suffered a fall at her apartment from which she never fully recovered. Minnie is survived by her son, Darin Grenz of Auckland, New Zealand, step-sons Donald Smith of Rogersville, AL, and David (Kathleen) Smith of Fargo, step-daughters Debra (Greg) Mitchell of Brandon, SD and Susan (Roy) Evans of Fargo and sister Evelyn Butcher of Fargo. Minnie was proceeded by her parents, both husbands and six of her siblings.