Michael Felix Krenz, 83, of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, passed away on Aug. 11, 2026. A beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, chef, entrepreneur, farmer, and friend, Mike will be remembered for his strong faith, generous spirit, outgoing personality, and ability to make everyone feel welcome.
Mike was born Sept. 15, 1942, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up on the city’s East Side. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated from Harding High School in 1960. As a young man, he enjoyed hockey, roller skating, and dancing. Summers spent working on his uncle's farm in Somerset, Wisconsin, gave him a lasting love of farming and a dream of someday having a farm of his own.
After high school, Mike married his high school sweetheart, Gloria J. (Scheiben) Krenz. They made their home in St. Paul Park and raised four children: Scott, Shelly, Deborah, and Denise. Mike pursued a career in the culinary arts, receiving valuable training at the St. Paul Athletic Club and through catering opportunities. In the late 1970s, Michael’s at the West Twin Restaurant in St. Paul became a family endeavor where his children learned teamwork, responsibility, and the value of working together.
Mike later served as head chef at the Flare Broiler in Forest Lake, Minnesota, and Scandia Ranch in Scandia, Minnesota. He and his former wife, Kathy (Costello) Krenz, went on to own and operate the Trap Rock Inn in Dresser, Wisconsin. Customers came for the great food, but they returned for Mike. His warm smile, positive outlook, genuine interest in others, and larger-than-life personality made people feel like family.
Mike and Kathy later built a home in St. Croix Falls, where they raised their sons, Nicholas and Nathan. Mike treasured time with the boys in the shop, playing football together, and watching games as a family. Through those shared moments, he taught them practical skills, instilled strong character, and set an example of hard work and doing things well. There, Mike fulfilled his childhood dream of owning and working his own farm. The farm brought him great joy and reflected his love of hard work, the outdoors, and time with God.
Family was at the center of Mike’s life. He created lasting memories through pool parties, backyard ice rinks, fall hayrides, and family trips. He could always be counted on for a grand idea, making the food, and bringing the fun. He also enjoyed motorcycles, collecting classic cars, attending car shows, sharing stories, and good conversation.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Monica Krenz; sisters, Marcella, Cathy, and Elaine; brother, Phillip; wife, Gloria; son, Scott; and granddaughter, Madeline Vlatkovich. He is survived by his brother, Richard (Jean) Krenz of Osceola, Wisconsin. His children and their families include his late son, Scott (Christa) Krenz, and their children Taylor (Connor) Crowley, Tanner Krenz, and Riley Krenz; Shelly (Ross) Tretsven, and their children Jacob, Lucas, and Shannon Tretsven; Deborah (Charles) Morgan, and their daughter Charlise Morgan; Denise Vlatkovich, and her children Abigail, Madeline, and Justin Vlatkovich, and granddaughter Aaliyah; and Nicholas and Nathan Krenz. He is also remembered by extended family and many friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held with family and friends on Sept. 20, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m., at Chateau St. Croix Winery, 1998 WI-87, St. Croix Falls. A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. with a luncheon immediately following. A private family burial will take place in October at Newport Cemetery, where Mike will be laid to rest beside his first wife, Gloria.
Mike’s legacy lives on in the lessons he taught, the meals he shared, the businesses he built, and the family he loved. His faith, work ethic, creativity, hospitality, and love of people left a lasting impression on all who knew him. “Good food, good company, and family were at the heart of everything Mike did.” Arrangements are with Grandstrand Funeral Home of Osceola.
