Germaine Holthaus

Tuesday, April 21, 2015 1:33 pm

Germaine Holthaus, 87, of Calmar, died Monday, April 13, 2015, at her home. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 16, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, with Monsignor Cletus Hawes and Rev. Alan Dietzenbach officiating. Organist was Jeanette Dietzenbach. Music also was provided by Our Lady of Seven Dolors Choir. Soloist was Kevin Schmitt. Hymns were “There is a Mansion Over the Hilltop,” “Here I am, Lord,” “Bread, Blessed and Broken,” “I Come to the Seashore” and “Sing a New Song.” Lector was Jodi Wenthold. Mass servers were Ryan and Derek Dietzenbach. Offertory gift bearers were Marleen, Jan and Leland. Eucharistic minister was Elaine Heying. Honorary casket bearers were Rosaria Einck, Elaine Heying, Donna Schuler, Rita Gerleman, Odelia Cremer, Arlene Huinker and Lori Huinker. Casket bearers were Jeff and Ellen Numedahl, Jill Sallis, June and Tony Kronenberger, Wendy and Mike Kirchner and Pam and Kevin Schmitt. Interment was at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Cemetery in Festina. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Calmar.

Germaine Clara Dietzenbach Holthaus, the youngest daughter of Andrew and Cecilia (Kipp) Dietzenbach, was born Aug. 13, 1927, on the family farm near St. Lucas. She attended eight years of school at St. Luke’s Catholic School in St. Lucas. She was united in marriage to Rudy Holthaus Oct. 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 received it Aug. 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; Jan (Curt) Vick, Decorah; and Leland Holthaus, Calmar; five grandchildren: Jeff (Ellen) Numedahl, Decorah; Jill Numedahl Sallis, San Diego, Calif.; June Numedahl (Tony) Kronenberger, Burnsville, Minn.; Wendy Vick (Mike) Kirchner, Chatfield, Minn.; Pam Vick (Kevin) Schmitt, Calmar; 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; Lillian Holthaus, Decorah; Dorothy Holthaus, Cresco; and Caroline (Joe) Schildmeyer, Ossian; along with many nieces and nephews.

Germaine was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Dietzenbach, May 22, 1961; and Cecilia (Kipp) Dietzenbach, June 15, 1989; her husband, Rudy Holthaus, 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, 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.

 

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