Steve J. "Custer" Grenz, 72, of Napoleon, passed away peacefully after a three-year battle with liver cancer. His family will cherish the time they had with him.

Steve was born on September 13, 1951, in Bismarck, ND, to John "Custer" Grenz and Irene (Wittmier) Grenz. He lived on the family farm with his two brothers, Harley and Gene, and one sister, Karen, 15 miles east of Napoleon, on a prairie land known as "The Flat." The family later moved to Napoleon, where his parents owned and operated a restaurant called "Irene's Cafe."

Steve attended school in Napoleon and graduated in 1969. He was drafted and served in the United States Marines from 1969 to 1971, completing a tour in Vietnam. After returning from Vietnam, Steve attended the University of Phoenix, where he expanded his love for photography.

He worked with his dad and brother (Harley) on the family farm before moving to Cheyenne, WY, in 1990. There, he drove a school bus, won a school bus rodeo award, and delivered mail for several years before finding a position at Frontier Refinery, where he remained until his retirement in 2019.

Steve and Malai were married on November 27, 2006, in Crested Butte, CO. Steve loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, instilling his love of music, travel, and adventure in all of them.  He had a love for Rock N Roll with a special emphasis on Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones. Steve was not one to stay put; he loved to sightsee and take on new and exciting experiences. Making friends was second nature to Steve, as his positive demeanor would attract anyone within speaking distance. Steve loved to tell a good story. His house was adorned with pictures of the places and people he loved, as well as items he had gathered from his many adventures. These were not random, as he had a specific story behind each display.

Upon retirement, Steve and Malai purchased a home in Sun City West, Arizona, to be closer to his brother Harley and sister Karen, during the winters, as well as a home in Napoleon, where they spent their summers fishing and spending time with their grandkids. He was elated to become a great-grandfather in June of 2024.

Steve was blessed to share his life with his wife, Malai, of 18 years; his children, Jessica (Joshua) Haugen of Lawton, ND; Ashley (Lee) Grenz of Kansas City, KS; and Kayla (Kevin) Friesz of Mandan, ND; grandchildren, Isaak Anthony, Aliyah (Wyatt), Alexandria, Izibelle, and Wyatt Haugen, and Isabel Patzell; great-granddaughter, Quinn; brother, Harley (Gloria) Grenz of Napoleon, ND; and brother-in-law, James Strand.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, John "Custer" and Irene (Wittmier) Grenz; his brother, Gene Grenz; his sister, Karen Strand; and grandparents, Gust and Lydia Wittmier, and Gottleib G. and Christine (Wentz) Grenz.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 2nd at the Salem United Methodist Church in Napoleon with lunch to follow at the Napoleon American Legion Hall. Visitation will be on Thursday from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a "Celebration of Life" at 7:00 pm at Feist Funeral Home. A private family burial will be held at a later date.