Gene Krenelka and his wife, Lorraine, both grew up in rural Minnesota, members of small churches with cemeteries on the grounds.
They liked the idea of being interred on their church's property.
Now living in north Fargo, Gene has designed their final resting place at Messiah Lutheran Church, where they've been members since 1963.
The couple has given the church a columbarium, an above-ground structure that holds cremated remains.
"In death, we will remain at our church, so to speak," Gene said.
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About nine years ago, the Krenelkas visited a Lutheran church in Arizona. They were impressed by the church's columbarium, and the idea of donating one to their church slowly developed.
The gift was accepted during Messiah's annual meeting in January.
Three black granite crosses adorn the brick structure, 12 feet long, 6 feet tall and 2 feet wide. It is on the east side of the church, visible from Elm Street.
Workers are putting finishing touches on it now, laying concrete pavers to form a walkway and patio. A small bench will be set there, creating a place for meditation and prayer.
The columbarium will be blessed in September.
The Rev. Karin Moberg, pastor of Messiah Lutheran, said cemeteries near churches create an awareness of family, history and the spiritual connection to the faithful who have died.
"When it's right on church grounds, there's a sense of the eternal that's very present," Moberg said.
Gene describes the construction as a "church do-it-yourself project."
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He built 40 niches - square recesses that hold the ashes - in his basement. Church member Paul Speral did the brick work.
Gene created a hidden key mechanism to remove the granite fronts covering each niche, where names of the deceased will be engraved.
Each niche can hold two urns, and costs $1,500.
He also drew plans for additions that can be added later as cremation grows in popularity.
In 2003, 16 percent of North Dakota deaths were cremated, according to the Cremation Association of North America.
While the number and percentage of cremation deaths are much lower in North Dakota than the U.S. average, both are projected to increase.
Other columbarium sites in Fargo include Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, Holy Cross Cemetery and Riverside Cemetery.
Moberg describes the columbarium as a gift of love to Messiah from Gene and Lorraine, and especially from Gene to his wife.
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Gene said while Lorraine will see the columbarium, she won't be able to appreciate it. She suffers from Alzheimer's disease, and lives at Bethany Homes in Fargo.
"I think his passion comes from having an idea, wanting to see it fulfilled and then finally having the time and, I think, the incentive," said Speral, who works for Eicholtz Masonry in Fargo.
"I admire somebody that has a vision like that and can take it forward ... especially something that's for his church and his beliefs," he said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Sherri Richards at (701) 241-5525
