Beverly Ann Krentz, 89, was born March 15, 1937, to Adam and Frieda (Schwab) Kempel. She was raised on a farm with her two sisters, Jan and Joanne, near Englevale, North Dakota. She loved working on the farm and being outdoors, driving the grain truck and running the farm equipment. She attended school in Lisbon, North Dakota.
She married Phil Krentz on July 9, 1961, in Lisbon, ND. They were married for 63 years before Phil passed away. Shortly after they were married, they moved to Valley City where they raised two daughters, Debbie and Linda.
Her careers included a home daycare so she could remain home with her kids. After they were in school, she worked as a custodian at Jefferson School for many years. In 1978 she began working at the Sheyenne Care Center where she worked for 31 years as head of housekeeping. She made many long-time friends while working there and remained in contact with them. She was a hard worker and took pride in all she did.
Over the years Bev loved doing ceramics and made many beautiful pieces. She enjoyed flowers and especially loved decorating for all the holidays, especially Christmas. She was an exceptional gift giver. She loved to shop and put lots of thought into each gift and wrapped them to perfection. She loved watching everyone open their gifts; it brought her so much joy to give.
She also enjoyed traveling with family and friends. Her favorites were Hawaii, Banff, San Francisco, Branson, Calgary and a cruise. Her favorite hobbies were shopping and the casinos. She loved to gamble and was also very lucky.
She held great pride in her family and loved to brag about them. She was very proud of her grandsons and loved attending all their activities. She also followed her daughters’ softball team and never missed a game. She was a softball fan for 40-plus years, cheering the girls on. She also let them know when they were not playing up to par, too.
She was a tough German, very stubborn and knew what she wanted and liked to do things her way. She had grit and determination, and also a little sarcasm. She always had her hair and nails done to perfection; she set a standard and held to it. She loved glitzy stuff.
The last couple years presented many challenges for her, but she rallied back each time so she could continue her casino trips and shopping. Her fight was incredible and she never complained. She loved her family beyond words and would do anything for them. She was a firecracker at times, too, but that’s what most people loved about her.
She passed away at CHI Mercy Hospital in Valley City on September 26. Bev is survived by her two daughters, Debbie Magnuson and Linda Krentz, both of Valley City; grandchildren Justin and Solveig Magnuson of Glyndon, MN; Josh and Addie Magnuson of Watford City; and Jordan and fiancé Cameryn Magnuson of Watford City. She had three great-grandchildren, Jett, Ace and Krieger Magnuson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Adam and Frieda Kemple; her husband, Phil Krentz; her sister, Jan Hansen and husband Ed, and sister, Joanne Geisinger and her husband Richard.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 17th, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home, Chapel 515 Central Ave. N, Valley City, ND. Burial will be at Memory Gardens, with lunch to follow. The service will be live streamed, then archived, on a link provided along with her obituary on her tribute page at www.lerudmathias.com. An online guestbook is available there as well. Traditions Funeral Services of Valley City has been entrusted with handling the arrangements for the Krentz family.
Family suggests donations be made to South Central Transit, PO Box 298, Valley City in memory of Bev.