Francis "Fritz" Holthaus

Francis “Fritz” Holthaus, age 78, of Calmar, IA, died on Thursday, March 17, 2011, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, IA, with Monsignor Cletus Hawes presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2011, and also on Tuesday morning from 9:00-10:30 a.m., at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel in Calmar, IA. There will be a rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a scripture service at 5:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Francis August “Fritz” Holthaus was born on January 6, 1933, the son of Felix and Agnes (Schmitt) Holthaus on the family farm near Festina, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church. Fritz married Luella Franzen on June 7, 1955, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa. Together they lived and worked on the Holthaus family farm, which was the only home that Fritz knew. During the years, that Fritz farmed, he also worked for the Festina Feed Mill, operated a can milk route, delivered Winnebago motorhomes, and drove truck for Bushman Farms, Reilly, Wiltgen and Roverud Construction. Fritz loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed his trips to Wyoming, Colorado and Canada. Fritz enjoyed NASCAR along with visiting with family and friends. He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina. Francis is survived by his two sons: Rick (LouAnn) Holthaus, Decorah, IA; and Ron (Elaine) Holthaus, Ossian, IA. One daughter: Denise (Steve) Vangsness, Decorah, IA, Nine grandchildren:, Brandon Holthaus, Jarrett Holthaus, Angela (Nathan) Schwendeman, Julie Holthaus, Krystle Holthaus, Ross Holthaus, Eric Vangsness Sherry Vangsness, and Lee Vangsness. Two great grandchildren: Kyleigh and Gwyneth Schwendeman. Three sisters: Agnes Riha, Decorah, IA; Lillian Holthaus, Decorah, IA; and Caroline (Joe) Schildmeyer, Ossian, IA. Three sisters-in-law: Anna Mae Franzen, Lawler, IA; Germaine Holthaus, Festina, IA; and Dorothy Holthaus, Cresco, IA. One brother-in-law: Delbert (Peggy) Franzen, Waucoma, IA, along with many nieces and nephews. Francis was preceded in death by his parents: Felix and Agnes (Schmitt) Holthaus. His wife: Luella on September 30, 1997. One grandson: Brent Holthaus on August 18, 1995. Four brothers: Augustine (Ethel) Holthaus, Rudy Holthaus, Ralph (Olivia) Holthaus and Severin Holthaus. One sister: Rosemary Holthaus.