Willard Holthaus, 83

Nov. 9, 1938 —

Oct. 1, 2022

 

DECORAH - Willard Holthaus, age 83, of Decorah, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah, with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will be at a later date in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be  on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, from 3-7 p.m. at the Helms Funeral Home, in Decorah and also after 10 a.m. at the church

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to - Winneshiek County Hospice or Winneshiek County Community Foundation (in care of Willard and Mary Ellen Holthaus Fund)

Willard Holthaus was born on Nov. 9, 1938, the son of Raymond and Hilda (Bohr) Holthaus, near Castalia, Iowa. He was the second oldest of 11 children. Growing up, the family moved from farm to farm until March 1947, when his parents purchased a 160-acre farm south of Decorah, where his brother Dave lives to this day. 

Willard attended St. Benedict Catholic School until the eighth grade and then graduated from Decorah High School in 1956. After his schooling, he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. On Sept. 4, 1965, he married Mary Ellen Elpert. To this union five children were born: Michael, Mark, Keith, Stephen and Beth. They recently celebrated 57-years together, with 54 years spent in their home near the trout hatchery. 

Willard started work at Nelson Brothers, which later became Jennerjohn Drilling. He later bought the business with his brother, Ron, and they operated Jennerjohn-Holthaus Drilling from 1976 until 2005 when they sold the business. One of Willard’s proudest accomplishments was drilling the access for entrance to Coldwater Cave. 

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, served on St Benedict’s school board, was a member of the Home School Association and a lifelong member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, serving as lector and eucharistic minister for many years. He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, Iowa Hawkeyes and Decorah Vikings. 

He was a proud supporter of Raptor Resources and enjoyed meeting and talking to the people who came from everywhere to watch the eagles that nested in the backyard. 

Willard knew the backroads of Winneshiek County and Iowa and was always eager to provide a driving tour – short or long version that often included old homesteads and cemeteries. Any family get together also included many games of Euchre or Five Hundred and a lot of good memories. 

He will be remembered for his passion for history and tradition, especially family history and World War II history. 

Willard is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen (Elpert) Holthaus; children, Michael (Sandra) Holthaus of South Haven, Minn., Mark (Trisha) Holthaus of Decorah, Keith (Gina) Holthaus of Decorah, Stephen (Heather) Holthaus of Ely, Minn. and Beth Holthaus of Plainview, Minn.; eight grandchildren, Zoe, Jack, Ben, Blake, Emily, Jared, Lyla and William; three step-grandchildren, Ashley, Kaitlin and Jake Mohlis; and was great-grandpa to Alex, Landon and Parker. 

He is also survived by his  sister,  Judy (Norb) Bullerman of Calmar; brother, David Holthaus of Decorah; sister, Connie Sande of Decorah; sister, Maxine (Karl) Klotzbach, brother-in-law, Dan Schmitt; and sisters-in-law, Sue Holthaus, Elaine Holthaus, Lorraine Holthaus, Judie (Darrell) Westby, Dodie Elpert and Sharon Huber; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his father and mother; father and mother-in-law; Louis and Margaret Elpert; brothers, Adrian and Ron; sisters,  Jane (Doug) Blair and Pat Seiler, brothers-in-law, William Elpert and James Huber; niece, Theresa Holthaus; and nephew, Philp Blair.