Delmar Clemens Holtz, 92, of St. Joseph, Missouri, formerly of West Point, passed away at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, September 28, 2023, at the Carriage Square Rehab and Healthcare Center in St. Joseph.
He was born on December 21, 1930, in West Point, Iowa, the son of Dr. S.P. and Elinor Catherine (Winnike) Holtz.
Delmar graduated in 1949 from St. Mary’s High School in West Point. He married Vera Coyle. They later divorced. Delmar was a barber in Salem for more than sixty years. When he was in his fifties, he took up running and ran in many 5Ks and 10Ks. He also ran in five marathons and a 50K (31.07 miles). In his seventies, he took up triathlons and entered in his last one at the age of eighty. He had many medals, ribbons, trophies and t-shirts from his competitions. Delmar walked almost every day, even in his nineties, and his doctor said he was a testament to the health benefits of exercise. Many people said he was an inspiration for them to start running.
Delmar loved to fish and hunt, and he especially loved to fish with his grandchildren, nieces and nephews and friends. Most people would describe him as one of the nicest people they ever met. His family can say they never heard him say an unkind word about anyone and never heard anyone say an unkind word about him.
Delmar was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, Cathedral of St. Joseph Church in St. Joseph, the West Point American Legion Holtz - Geers Post #668 and the Knights of Columbus Council #8250. He was the grand marshal in the Sweet Corn Festival parade one year, as well. In 2015, he moved from West Point to St. Joseph to be near his son and his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five siblings: Lester Holtz, Rozella Freitag, Imelda Groene, Carl Holtz and Lucy Vonderhaar; brothers-in-law: Alve Freitag, Jim Groene and Don Vonderhaar.
He is survived by his children: Jo Ann (Bill) Neilson of Davenport; John (Diane) Holtz of St. Joseph; Becky Holtz of Cedar Rapids; and Karen (Glenn) Simons of Anderson, South Carolina. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Kevin Neilson, Kim (Dave) Sonnenberg, Brandon (Emily) Holtz, Garrett (Maureen) Holtz, Cass (Tami Davis) Holtz, Morgan Holtz, Alyssa (Michael) Krebs, Alex Holverson, Blake Simmons, Corry Simmons and Jacob Simmons; seventeen great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law: Rita Holtz. He is also survived by his longtime, loving companion: Dolores “Dot” Cassidy and her family.
A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 8, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where a parish rosary will be recited at 2:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, October 9, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, West Point.
A memorial has been established in his memory for Holy Trinity Catholic Schools.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
