Spencer R. "Spence" Krenke

1940 - 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Spencer "Spence" Krenke Sr., a Napa native, who died peacefully on June 11th, 2025, at the age of 84. Born at St. Helena Hospital, he was the son of Richard Krenke, a ship fitter at Mare Island, and Jacqueline "Jackie" Krenke, a beautician who once operated from their log cabin home on Coombs Street in Napa.

As the story goes, his mother Jacquline says she named him after Spencer Tracy, while his father Richard claimed he was named after Spencer Street, across from Napa High School, where they would secretly meet in their youth.

In 1958, just before his 18th birthday, Spencer joined the Army and served until August 1961. Shortly thereafter, he married his first wife, Patricia Martindale, and together they had two children, Denise and Spencer Jr.

In 1973, Spencer met Virginia "Ginny" Marquez of Napa, and they were married in 1974. They were indeed a match made in heaven, both with laughs more contagious than the other, and the combination of the two laughing together was simply marvelous. Virginia and her daughters, Khris and Kerri, together with Spence raised their family in their lifelong home.

Professionally, Spencer worked as a masonry contractor throughout the 1970's, then started Spencer Krenke concrete in 1983, which he owned for 40 years. "Work done with pride", he'd say, was more than a slogan, it was a responsibility.

No kidding, Spencer didn't know how to relax. Relaxing for Spencer was water skiing, or snow skiing, or jet skiing, or barefoot skiing, or jumping out of a plane, or cycling, or off to Hawaii, or the gym, or washing the cars, or maintaining the house, or paying bills, or doing bids, or calling customers. Repeat, decade after decade. He never stopped.

He was a wonderful father and took being a grandfather and great grandfather to a whole new level of extraordinary. Being Papa, was one of his absolute favorite things.

Spencer was also incredibly dedicated to Sobriety. A former professional party animal, he found that for him sobriety was a critical component to all the blessings he enjoyed. Sober for over 50 years, he shared his story with anyone who would listen. He had such empathy for those who suffered from addiction, never judging, and always there for anyone and everyone who needed him, day or night. His years of mentoring those in and out of "the program", earned him a million and one wonderful friends, a grateful community, and perhaps a few lives made better for his effort.

He embodied the human condition of imperfection and spent his life making the world around him a better place with love, and light, and laughter, and empathy, and kindness, and respect.

Spencer was preceded in death by his parents, Jacqueline and Richard, sister Susie, wife Virginia, and granddaughter Taleen.

He is survived by his son Spencer Jr., Daughters Denise, Khris and Kerri, grandchildren Christopher, Daniel, Tony, Spencer (the 3rd), great grandchildren Leila, Emily, Reagan, Taleen (the 2nd), and Daxton.

With special gratitude to his primary caregiver at home, Edward, who gave him kindness, safety, dignity and friendship at home. We couldn't have given him this time without you.

A celebration of life will be at First Christian Church of Napa, at 2659 1st Street on Friday July 25th, at 11:00 AM, followed by a reception also Friday July 25th, at Vintners Golf Club, 7901 Solano Ave, Yountville, at 3:30 PM. Spencer R. Krenke Sr.