Willard Holthaus

Sunday, October 2, 2022 9:27 pm

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

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m on Thursday, Oct. 6, at St. Benedict Catholic Church 307 West Main Street, Decorah, with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will be at a later date in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, Oct 5,, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Helms Funeral Home, 604 South Avenue, Decorah, IA, 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. He was the second oldest of 11 children. Growing up the family moved from farm to farm until March of 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 8th 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 and spent 54 years 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 JennerjohnHolthaus 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. Willard was a member of the Knights of Columbus, he served on St Benedicts’ school board, member of the Home School Association, and a lifelong member of St. Benedicts 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. He 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 our family history and World War II history.

Willard is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen (Elpert) Holthaus; children: Michael (Sandra) Holthaus, South Haven, Minn. Mark (Trisha) Holthaus of Decorah, Keith (Gina) Holthaus of Decorah, Stephen (Heather) Holthaus of Ely, Minn., and Beth Holthaus, Plainview, Minn.; eight grandchildren: Zoe, Jack, Ben, Blake, Emily, Jared, Lyla and William; three step grandchildren: Ashley, Kaitlin and Jake Mohlis; and he was great grandpa to Alex, Landon and Parker. He is also survived by sister and brother-in-law Judy (Norb) Bullerman, Calmer; brother David Holthaus, Decorah; sister Connie Sande, Decorah; and sister and brother-in-law Maxine (Karl) Klotzbach; brother-in- law Dan Schmitt; sister-in-law Sue Holthaus; sister-in-law Elaine Holthaus, sister-in-law Lorraine Holthaus, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Judie (Darrell) Westby, sister-in-law Dodie Elpert, sister-in-law, Sharon Huber, and and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, father and mother-in-law Louis and Margaret Elpert, brother Adrian, sister Inez Schmitt, brother Ken, brother Ron, sister and brother-in-law Jane and Doug Blair, sister Pat Seiler, brother-in-law William Elpert, brother-inlaw James Huber, niece Theresa Holthaus and nephew Philp Blair.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to family, friends and providers who were there to support Willard over the past few years.