Carl James Holtz, 90, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 8:10 a.m. Thursday, August 3, 2023, at the Kensington in Fort Madison, Iowa.
He was born on June 19, 1933, in West Point, Iowa, the son of Dr. S.P. and Elinor (Winnike) Holtz. On January 18, 1958, he married Rita Pollmiller at St. James the Less Catholic Church in St. Paul, Iowa. This happened to be Carl’s parents' 36th wedding anniversary, as well. Carl and Rita celebrated their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary in January of 2023.
He is survived by his wife: Rita; four sons: Bill (Julie) Holtz of Kearney, Missouri, Jerry (Deb) Holtz of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Matt (Jodi) Holtz of Indianapolis, Indiana and Brad (Stephanie) Holtz of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; eight grandchildren: Trisha Beckman, Andy (Emily) Holtz, Ashley (Cesar) Ornelas, Megan Holtz, Audri Holtz, Alana Holtz, Taylor Holtz and Ryan Holtz; four great grandchildren: Dalton, Ryan, Jase and one on the way; one brother: Delmar Holtz of St. Joseph, Missouri. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother: Lester Holtz; three sisters: Lucy Vonderhaar, Rozella Freitag and Imelda Groene.
Carl graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1951. He served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957. Carl met Rita at a dance while on furlough. They married and raised in their four boys with great pride. He worked as a truck driver for Merschman Furniture for thirty-six years and after retirement drove for Merschman Seeds for another eight years. In between, he worked for Scott’s Nursery and delivered Meals on Wheels. Carl thoroughly enjoyed truck driving for a living, and was proud of how many millions of miles he drove while keeping a clean record with no accidents or violations. Sometimes bragging on it for fun. Even with a modest income, Carl and Rita persevered in sending their boys through a private Catholic school and assisted each to attend college. He loved his family dearly and was very proud of all his sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Carl had given up cigarettes and alcohol early on in life for the sake of his family and proudly endured that way for fifty-one years. He was a devout practicing member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church and a former member of the West Point Knights of Columbus. He loved to hunt, fish, target practice, have fried chicken and ride his moped. Carl successfully achieved three goals in life: making it to sixty-five years of marriage, the age of ninety, and to have a happy death as he passed peacefully with his family at his side. He assured his family years earlier, that when he entered Paradise, he would pray and wait patiently for them all to follow and one day have the family together again!
A visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Sunday, August 6, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point where the family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A parish rosary will be recited at 1:30 p.m. and a Christian wake service will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 7, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant, assisted by Deacon Jim Vonderhaar
Burial will at Calvary Cemetery in West Point with a flag presentation presented by the West Point American Legion Holtz - Geers Post #668.
Memorials have been established in his memory for Calvary Cemetery or the Monsignor J.A. Wagner Building Fund.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
