John Howard HOLT

HOLT, KELLEY, JOLAS, PIERCE, KLAASSEN, MORRIS, FENDER, WHITNEY, HERNANDEZ, SMALLFOOT, ESSER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 6/28/2011 at 09:44:28

Obituary - John Howard Holt

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Former Mason City Fire Chief John Holt dies at 86

MASON CITY — Former Mason City Fire Chief John H. HOLT has died at the age of 86.

HOLT served as Mason City fire chief from April 1, 1970, to May 3, 1980.

HOLT died at his South Jefferson Avenue home on June 23.

HOLT was appointed a probationary fireman by Chief James KELLEY on July 18, 1946. He served on the Fire Department for 33 years, nine months and 14 days.

HOLT was appointed chief by Mayor Tom JOLAS, succeeding Cliff PIERCE. HOLT was chief during the construction of the fire station headquarters at 350 Fifth St. S.W.

"When we designed it (the station) we decided it would be the largest headquarters (the city would need) no matter how large the city grew)," HOLT said in a Globe Gazette story published on March 22, 1975.

HOLT was one of only three chiefs to have held the rank of captain. He was the first chief to have served in the Fire Bureau during his career.

It was under HOLT'S tenure as chief that Mason City firemen became known as firefighters, according to Fire Department records.

HOLT was also responsible for changing the color of the engines from red to yellow in 1972.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. today at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 2502 S. Jefferson Ave. Burial will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

— By Peggy Senzarino

~ ~ ~ ~
The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, June 27, 2011

Obituary - John Howard Holt

MASON CITY - John Howard HOLT, 86, of 2715 S. Jefferson, Mason City, died Thursday, June 23, 2011, at his home, with family by his side.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 2502 S. Jefferson Ave., with the Rev. Emily HORRELL officiating. Interment will be in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 27, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and continue at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be directed to the John HOLT memorial fund, in care of the family.

John was born Oct. 12, 1924, in Thompson, the son of Robert and Anna (KLAASSEN) HOLT. At a young age, they moved to Mason City where he attended school.

He joined the Armed Forces in 1942, fought in World War II, where he was involved in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. It was there where he met his wife Monique. They were united in marriage on Dec. 22, 1945, in Belgium, then returned to live in Mason City in April 1946. To this union, two children were born, son Robert (Bob) L. HOLT and daughter Lou Ann (HOLT) MORRIS.

John worked for a short time at Jacob E. Deckers. He joined the Mason City Fire Department in July 1946, where he held every rank in the department. He was promoted fire chief in 1970. While being chief, the new fire station was built. John retired May 1, 1980, after 33 years of service. He was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Iowa Firefighters Association, Iowa Fire Chief's Association, the International Fire Chief's Association, and the V.F.W.

In his earlier years, John loved to play basketball. He was a city marble champion, an avid bowler, and golfer. He loved playing cards with his family and relaxing in his patio, with his little poodle, Misty, sitting at his feet. He enjoyed gardening and canning vegetables. He was a great cook and will always be remembered for the many wonderful soups he cooked for various functions at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. John loved watching sports on TV and was a loyal fan of the Vikings, Cubs, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Most of all, John's family was the love of his life, especially, Monique, his wife of sixty-five years. John always showed love and support towards his family and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Monique HOLT, of Mason City; his children: Robert HOLT, of Mason City; daughter, Lou Ann and special friend Bob, of Clear Lake; granddaughters: Tammy FENDER and husband Dennis of St. Joseph, Mo., Lori WHITNEY and husband Steve, of Mason City, Sherrie (Morris) HERNANDEZ, of Mason City, and Mandy MORRIS and fiancé Gerardo, of Mason City; great-grandchildren: Brittany, Jacob, Chelse, Chayse, Kelsey, Starr, Christian, Chela, Marky and Monica; great-great grandchildren: Connor, Neveah, Addison and Amya; sisters: Ocie SMALLFOOT and late husband Harold, of Clear Lake and Betty ESSER and husband Marvin, of Mason City; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Hospice for all their support.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, 641-423-0924, Mason City, is in charge of arrangements.

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2011

Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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