James Holthaus

James Holthaus, age 76, of Decorah, IA died on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 8, 2019 at the St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Visitation will be from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, 604 South Ave in Decorah and also after 9:30 a.m. at the Church on Monday morning.  James Charles Holthaus was born on October 4, 1942 the son of Nilus and Irene (Bodensteiner) Holthaus in Decorah, IA. He grew up on a farm north of Decorah and graduated from De Sales High School in Ossian in 1960. After high school, James moved to Minneapolis and attended Brown Institute for Industrial Electronics. He moved to Fargo after finishing school and worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. James was drafted into the Army in 1967 and served in Vietnam until 1969 where he received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Upon return James went back to work for Northwestern Bell. He married Diana Getz on October 9, 1971 in Fargo, ND. They moved to a farm in Decorah in 1973. Together they had two daughters: Tracy and Amanda. They later divorced. James continued Dairy farming until 1996 before going to work for Featherlite in Cresco until retirement. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, loved to play cards (especially Euchre), watching birds and going to the zoo. He loved animals and at one time raised a fawn and had a pet cougar. James was a member of the VFW and Silvercrest Country Club. James is survived by his daughters: Tracy (Dan) Frye, Decorah, IA and Amanda (friend: Jason Norton) Powers, Swan, IA. Grandchildren: Jade and Logan Frye; Colton and Brady Powers. Siblings: Joyce Pint, Minneapolis, MN; Elaine Bush, Junction City, WI; John (Mary) Holthaus, Dixon, IL; Bill (Janice) Holthaus, St. Lucas, IA; Mike (Nancy) Holthaus, Phoenix, AZ; Peggy (Gaylon) Jennings, Wadena, IA; Danny (Marilyn) Holthaus, Calmar, IA and Karen (Jeff) Ratajczyk, Stewartville, MN. Brother-in-law: Marty Davis, Janesville, WI. Sister-in-law: Lucy Holthaus, Blaine, MN along with many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. James was preceded in death by his parents: Nilus and Irene (Bodensteiner) Holthaus. Sister: Judy Davis. Brothers: Chuck and Larry Holthaus. Nephew: Jason Holthaus. Brother-in-law: Tom Bush.