Holthaus, Germaine Clara (Dietzenbach) 1927 - 2015

HOLTHAUS, DIETZENBACH, KIPP, NUMEDAHL, VICK, SALLIS, KRONENBERGER, KIRCHNER, SCHMITT, RIHA, SCHILDMEYER, BLONG, MINERT, BRINCKS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 4/17/2015 at 07:59:42

Germaine Holthaus, age 87, of Calmar, IA, died on Monday, April 13, 2015, at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 16, 2015, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, 2351 – County Road B32, Festina, IA, with Monsignor Cletus Hawes presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, and also after 10:00 a.m., Thursday morning at the Festina Parish Center, 2351 – County Road B32, Festina, IA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Winneshiek County Hospice, 907 Montgomery Street, Decorah, IA 52101.

Germaine Clara Dietzenbach Holthaus, the youngest daughter of Andrew and Cecilia (Kipp) Dietzenbach, was born on August 13, 1927, on the family farm near St. Lucas, IA. She attended eight years of school at St. Luke’s Catholic School in St. Lucas. She was united in marriage to Rudy Holthaus on October 1, 1947, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church and to this union, three children were born: Marleen, Jan and Leland. Rudy and Germaine farmed the Holthaus Century Farm; originating in 1853. She also worked alongside her mother-in-law preparing food at the Hot Lunch Program at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Festina. Germaine’s proudest accomplishment was to get her GED and did so on August 27, 1970. Germaine was a member of Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Rosary Society, holding many offices. She took great pride in singing in the church choir, gardening and sharing the fruits of her labor. She enjoyed baking breads, rolls, kolaches, culverts as well as pies. She also treated everyone to homemade noodles; teaching her daughters and grandkids as well. She also taught her grandson, Jeff the skill of making turtle soup. She and Rudy did travel to Germany, Canada, Cuba and several fishing trips to Minnesota. Germaine enjoyed dancing and listening to polka/waltz music. In recent months, she played 500 with a group in Fort Atkinson and would marvel how she and her partner, Rita Gerleman would beat the menfolk and win the money. She loved her five grandchildren and her eight grandchildren. She would always try to keep up with their activities and will be sadly missed by her family, friends and the community.

Germaine is survived by her three children: Marleen Numedahl, Decorah, IA; Jan (Curt) Vick, Decorah, IA; and Leland Holthaus, Calmar, IA. Five grandchildren: Jeff (Ellen) Numedahl, Decorah, IA; Jill Numedahl Sallis, San Diego, CA; June Numedahl (Tony) Kronenberger, Burnsville, MN; Wendy Vick (Mike) Kirchner, Chatfield, MN; Pam Vick (Kevin) Schmitt, Calmar, IA. Eight great grandchildren: Ashlee and Alex Numedahl, Allyiah Sallis, Andrew Sallis, Jack Kronenberger, Patrick, Annika and Sean Kirchner. Four sisters-in-law: Agnes Riha, Decorah, IA; Lillian Holthaus, Decorah, IA; Dorothy Holthaus, Cresco, IA and Caroline (Joe) Schildmeyer, Ossian, IA, along with many nieces and nephews.

Germaine was preceded in death by her parents: Andrew Dietzenbach on May 22, 1961, and Cecilia (Kipp) Dietzenbach on June 15, 1989. Her husband: Rudy Holthaus on Dec. 28, 2002. Son-in-law: Ronald Numedahl on Nov. 13, 2011. Her father-in-law and mother-in-law: Felix Holthaus on Dec. 29, 1961 and Agnes (Schmitt) Holthaus on July 7, 1980. Siblings: Al (Bernadine) Dietzenbach, Wilfred (Leona) Dietzenbach, Agnes (Luke) Blong, Catherine (John) Minert and Hildegard (Ray) Brincks. Brothers-in-law: Severin Holthaus, Ed Riha, Augustine (Ethel) Holthaus, Ralph (Olivia) Holthaus, Francis (Luella) Holthaus.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Winneshiek County Hospice, 907 Montgomery Street, Decorah, IA 52101.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the good neighbors who help and support allowed her to stay at her family farm. Also a very kind thank you to the caring and loving staff at the Winneshiek County Hospice for the last six weeks.

Source: Schluter - Balik Funeral Home database

Our Lady of Seven Dolors Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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