Holtan, Rolfe J. (1929-2014)

HOLTAN, SUBY, NESS, BENSON, HELLER, WOOGE, FRAAKEN, HALVORSEN

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 10/14/2014 at 13:48:49

Rolfe J. Holtan
November 12, 1929 - October 7, 2014

Rolfe J. Holtan, 84, of rural Forest City, died on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, at the Good Samaritan Center.

The third of four children, Rolfe Holtan was born in 1929 to Elmer and Sadie (Suby) Holtan on a farm in Hanlontown. After his grandfather‘ death, his parents purchased the family farm in Mt. Valley Township. Growing up, he attended Mt. Valley Country School and then graduated from Forest City High School. While attending Waldorf College in Forest City, he met the love of his life, Maretta Ness. Called into the service, he served with the Army at Korea. After returning home he married Maretta on November 15, 1953. They resided first in the Belmond area where he farmed. Later, they moved to Thompson where he farmed and served on the County Committee and Soil Conservation Board as well. After his dad retired, Rolfe and Maretta purchased the family farm in Mt. Valley Township where they lived and farmed. In time, they received a century farm recognition.

Rolfe retired from farming in 2000 and moved into Forest City. From time to time, he continued enjoying helping his son on the farm. He, also, spent a lot time with his friends at the Senior Citizens Center playing cards, shooting pool, putting together puzzles, and delivering meals to the home-bound. In due course, he became President of the Center. In addition, Rolfe and Maretta joined the Come-Along Club. They were long-time members of the Winnebago Lutheran Church in Lake Mills.

Rolfe very much enjoyed music, Indeed, he played a variety of instruments not limited to but including the piano, harp, ukulele, and harmonica. He cherished the time spent singing with his family, and he had a lot of fun singing with the Barber Shop Quartet. Also a history buff, he frequently enjoyed helping his brother and sister-in-law, Stanford and Ruth Holtan, with the many projects at Heritage Park.

Rolfe is survived by his son, Eric (Melanie) Holtan, of Forest City; his daughter, Nancy (Allen) Benson, of Ankeny; his sister, Dorothy (Herb) Heller, of Sarasota, Florida; ten grandchildren: Jonathan Fraaken, of Forest City, Tiffany Fraaken, of Mason City, Joshua and Michael Holtan, of Forest City, Travis (April) Holtan, of Dubuque, Alek and Hayley Benson, of Iowa City, Nevin Benson, of Ankeny, Suzanne (Brandon) Turner, of Garner, and Stephanie (Lukas) Wooge, of Forest City; thirteen great grandchildren: Grady, Grant, Jadyn, Kashden, Shad, and Wesden Wooge; Calvin, Emma, Lily, and Willow Holtan; and Gracie, Natalie, and Trulie Turner; his sister-in-law, Ruth Holtan; and his brothers-in-law, Harry Halvorsen and Oscar Ness, Jr.

Rolfe was preceded in death by his wife, Maretta (Ness) Holtan; his granddaughter, Emily Holtan; his parents, Elmer and Sadie (Suby) Holtan; and his parents-in-law, Oscar and Isabelle (Frowick) Ness; his brother, Stanford Holtan; and his sister, Ardith Halvorsen.

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, October 11, 2014, at 10:00 A.M. at the Winnebago Lutheran Church, rural Lake Mills, with Rev. Bill Peters officiating. Vvisitation will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Friday, October 10, 2014, at the Cataldo Schott Funeral Chapel, 505 North Clark St., Forest City, Iowa. Interment will take place in Oaklnad Cemetery in Forest City with graveside Military Honors conducted by the Leland V.F.W. Post #6161 and the American Legion Post 121.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Rolfe J. Holtan memorial fund in care of the family.

Copyright © 2014, Cataldo Schott Funeral Home

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